[Relationship between serum zinc levels and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the possible relationship between serum zinc levels and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Chinese children. METHODS: Following a systematic search for case-control studies on the serum zinc levels in Chinese children with ADHD published between 2000 and 2015, a Meta analysis was conducted using Stata 12.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies, including 2 177 children with ADHD and 2 900 normal children, were enrolled. The Meta analysis showed that serum zinc levels in children with ADHD were lower than normal children (SMD= -1.33; 95%CI -2.22, -0.44; P=0.003). The sensitivity analysis indicated that the results were reliable. Eggerγs test did not find the existence of publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: Serum zinc levels may be associated with susceptibility to ADHD in children.