Comparison of iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D levels in healthy children and children with speech and language disorders

Abstract

Aims: This study investigated the relationship between speech and language disorders in children and their levels of vitamin D (25(OH)D3), vitamin B12, and iron. Methods: A total of 163 children participated in the study. Among 111 children diagnosed with speech and language disorders, the distribution included stuttering (n=12), articulation disorder (n=55), developmental language disorder (n=36), fluency disorder (n=4), atypical autism (n=3), and rapid speech disorder (n=1). Additionally, 52 healthy children were included as a control group. The levels of iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D were recorded for both groups. Results: Average levels in the study group were as follows: vitamin D at 24.88±14.788 ng/ml, vitamin B12 at 267.43±174.523 pg/ ml, and iron at 74.19±34.479 µg/dl. Iron levels were significantly lower in children with speech disorders compared to those in the control group (z=1.986, p=0.049). However, no significant differences were found among the various subgroups of speech disorders in terms of iron, vitamin B12, or vitamin D levels. A positive correlation was observed between vitamin D and vitamin B12 levels within the speech disorder group (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests a potential link between lower iron levels and speech disorders, though further research is required to validate these findings in children with speech and language disorders.

Keywords

• Speech sound disorder
• stuttering
• vitamin D
• B12
• iron

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