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

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 218 - 222, 21.03.2025

Ramazan Dulkadir

https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1583966

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

Supporting Institution

NO

Thanks

I would like to thank our hospital's speech and language therapist F.B.K. for his contributions.

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