Increased oxidative stress in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate oxidative stress in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: Total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), paraxonase-1 (PON-1) and arylesterase (ARE) activity were measured in 76 children (44 boys, 32 girls) diagnosed with ADHD according to the DSM-IV and 78 healthy children (46 boys, 32 girls). Results: Age and sex were similar between the groups (P > 0.05). TOS and the oxidative stress index (OSI) were higher in the patient group than the control group (P < 0.001). PON-1 (P = 0.002), ARE (P = 0.010) activity and TAS (P < 0.001) were lower in the patient group than the control group. Discussion: We found decreased PON-1, ARE activity and TAS, and increased TOS and OSI in children with ADHD. Our study showed that there is significantly increased oxidative stress in children with ADHD.