Probiotics in the Treatment of Iron Deficiency in Children With Restless Leg Syndrome-A Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Study

Project Summary:

Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency in the world and is associated with significant adverse health effects including: cognitive deficits, immune deficiency, anemia, fatigue, and increased mortality. RLS affects 5 to 10% of adults in the United States and 2% of children. The prevalence of RLS in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is estimated to be 12 to 35%. Iron deficiency has been recognized as an important factor in RLS, and the current recommendation for adults and children with RLS is to maintain serum ferritin level above 50 mcg/l. A common problem in the treatment of iron deficiency is that oral iron is poorly absorbed.

Probiotics are a group of microorganisms that benefit the host and are available naturally in fermented foods or as oral supplements. Naturally occurring probiotics, such as yogurt have been used to promote human health for millennia. Probiotic oral supplements have been proven effective and are currently approved for use in pediatrics in the treatment of: acute diarrhea, antibiotic associated diarrhea, and atopy associated with cow milk allergy; and there is some evidence that probiotics may be useful in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and necrotizing enterocolitis. In studies in adults, and in cell culture experiments, probiotics have improved iron absorption, but this question has never been studied in children.

Relevance:

This study proposes to compare the standard treatment for iron deficiency in children (supplemental iron plus vitamin C) with RLS; to supplemental iron plus vitamin C plus probiotics in a randomized, double-blind randomized controlled trial.