Childhood mental illness is devastating on a biological, psychological and social level. Mental disorders with childhood onset can be broadly divided into three categories: developmental disorders, externalizing disorders and internalizing disorders. Developmental disorders include autism, mental retardation, and learning disorders. Externalizing disorders represent behavioral disturbances such as ADHD, Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Finally, internalizing disorders describe mood and psychotic disorders. Each category of childhood mental illness will have different vitamins and nutrient needs.
Prenatal Nutritiona and Developmental Disorders
Once a developmental disorder such as autism or mental retardation has presented in childhood, it is very difficult to see drastic changes based on vitamins. Researchers have taken a step back to look at how prenatal nutrition plays a role cognitive development during early childhood. In 2009 researchers in China conducted a study where they gave a group of expectant mothers antioxidant vitamins. Cord serum testing at birth measured vitamin levels transmitted to the baby, and IQ was tested at age two. Their results, which were published in the journal of Early Human Development showed that vitamins A and E had a positive impact on cognitive progress.
Externalizing Disorders and Vitamins
Disruptive, or externalizing behavior disorders in children may have unique nutritional needs. In 2003 researchers at Purdue University examined the role of essential oils and fatty acids in the treatment of children with ADHD and generally disruptive behavior. They divided children into groups, giving some the essential oil/fatty acid compound and some a placebo made of olive oil. They found that while there was no significant change in ADHD symptomology, oppositional behaviors did decrease in the treatment group. The scientists' conclusions, which were published in "Lipids," report promise with essential oils, but call for further conclusive research.
Depression, Low Functioning and Malnutrition in Internalizing Disorders
Internalizing disorders of childhood refer to mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety that impact children on a biopsychosocial level. To examine the role of vitamins and minerals in this population, researchers have studied a phenomenon called "Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)" which affects children in poor countries. In 2007 researchers at the Department of Chemical Pathology in Nigeria conducted a review of literature looking at the impact of PEM on children. The Nigeria Postgraduate Medical Journal published their analysis, which states that general lack of protein and vitamins leads to decreased mental and physical growth and health in children, as well as diminished learning ability and social adjustment.
Treatment Implications
Childhood mental illness is complex and varied, with different classes of disorders having unique vitamin and mineral needs. At the time of this publication, in June 2011, the FDA has not approved any specific dose of vitamin for a specific child onset mental disorder. However, research does suggest that proper nutrition prenatally and throughout early childhood may have preventative and restorative benefits regardless of the class of illness.
References
- "Early Human Development"; Antioxidant Vitamin Status During Pregnancy in Relation to Cognitive Development in the First Two Years of Life; K Chen, et al; July, 2009
- "Lipids"; EFA Supplementation in Children with Inattention, Hyperactivity, and Other Disruptive Behaviors; L Stevens, et al; October, 2003
- "Nigeria Postgraduate Medical Journal"; A Review of Some Metabolic Changes in Protein-energy Malnutrition; SA Akuyam; February, 2007
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