Vitamin Interventions in ASD and ADHD: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Vitamin interventions have emerged as a cost-effective and accessible approach to managing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), primarily for alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation. Recent studies suggest vitamins may also improve core symptoms, yet most existing research focuses on comparisons between patients and healthy controls, lacking clinically relevant, evidence-based insights. Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted using studies retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, focusing on vitamin interventions in ASD and ADHD populations. Results: The findings indicate that vitamin supplementation significantly improves symptoms in both ASD and ADHD. However, the effects vary by vitamin type and disorder. Vitamin B supplementation was particularly effective in reducing ASD-related symptoms, while vitamin D supplementation showed greater efficacy in improving ADHD symptoms. Conclusion: Different vitamins exert disorder-specific therapeutic effects, suggesting their potential role in guiding tailored clinical interventions for ASD and ADHD.