Relationships between Vitamin B12, Folate Levels and Clinical Features in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified

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Aim: In this study, we aimed to compare the levels of vitamin B12 and folate in children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (ADHD-NOS).Materials and Methods: This study was planned as a cross-sectional, retrospective study. Patients were recruited between January 2012 andJanuary 2013 and 205 case records were evaluated. The ADHD and ADHA-NOS groups were compared according to vitamin B12 and folate levels.Symptom severity was evaluated by the Turgay DSM-IV-Based Child and Adolescent Behavior Disorders Screening and Rating scale. Anxietysymptom severity was assessed by The Screen for Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders.Results: The average age of the children in the ADHD group was 10.88±3.02 (n=99) years, and the average age of the children in the ADHD-NOSgroup was 9.93±2.49 (n=106) years. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of Vitamin B12 level and folatelevel (p>0.05). A statistically significant negative correlation between the total number of diagnoses of a child and vitamin B12 levels was found.Folate levels correlated significantly with anxiety total scores generalized anxiety subscale.Conclusion: Vitamin B12 levels may be affected in children with impairing ADHD symptoms and increased comorbidities. The results of thestudy should be supported by future studies.