Improved mood and behavior during treatment with a mineral-vitamin supplement: an open-label case series of children

• Published in: Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 115 - 122
• Main Authors: Kaplan, Bonnie J, Fisher, Jennifer E, Crawford, Susan G, Field, Catherine J, Kolb, Bryan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Mary Ann Liebert, Inc 01.03.2004
• Subjects: Adolescent; Behavior; Behavioral Symptoms - drug therapy; Behavioral Symptoms - psychology; Case studies; Child; Child Behavior Disorders - drug therapy; Child Behavior Disorders - psychology; Children & youth; Dietary supplements; Drug therapy; Emotions; Female; Humans; Male; Minerals; Minerals - therapeutic use; Mood Disorders - drug therapy; Mood Disorders - psychology; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales - statistics & numerical data; Vitamins; Vitamins - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 1044-5463; 1557-8992
• DOI: 10.1089/104454604773840553

Several studies have demonstrated that psychiatric symptoms such as depression, mood swings, and aggression may be ameliorated by supplementation with broad-based nutrient formulas containing vitamins, minerals, and sometimes essential fatty acids. These findings have been reported in young criminal offenders as well as in adults with mood disturbance and other psychiatric disorders. The purpose of the current case series was to explore the potential efficacy of a nutrient supplement in children. Children with mood and behavioral problems (N = 11; 7 boys, 4 girls; 8-15 years old) participated; 9 completed this open-label trial. Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Youth Outcome Questionnaire (YOQ), and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) at entry and following at least 8 weeks of treatment. Intent-to-treat analyses revealed decreases on the YOQ (p < 0.001) and the YMRS (p < 0.01) from baseline to final visit. For the 9 completers, improvement was significant on seven of the eight CBCL scales, the YOQ, and the YMRS (p values from 0.05-0.001). Effect sizes for all outcome measures were relatively large. The findings suggest that formal clinical trials of broad nutritional supplementation are warranted in children with these psychiatric symptoms.