Micronutrients in Pediatric Mental Health Care: Clinical Evidence, Patient Centered Testing, and Integrative Treatment Planning

Summary

In this free, live accredited webinar, Kimberly J Erlich MSN, RN, MPH, CPNP-PC, PMHS, CIMHP, will review the common terminology, underlining the relationship between micronutrients and mental health, describe a patient centered approach to laboratory testing to support individualized, integrative treatment plans and evaluate the current research for nutritional interventions supporting mental health and resilience in children and adolescents; integrating these findings into evidence-informed pediatric behavioral health care.

Key Takeaways:

• Micronutrients play essential roles in neurotransmitter production, inflammation regulation, and neuroplasticity
• Nutrient deficiencies and dietary patterns are modifiable factors that influence pediatric mental health outcomes
• Broad‑spectrum micronutrient interventions may provide greater benefit than single‑nutrient approaches in some populations
• Personalized, integrative care plans that include nutrition can complement standard psychiatric treatment strategies

Related Questions:

• How do micronutrient deficiencies contribute to pediatric mental health conditions?
  Micronutrient deficiencies can impair neurotransmitter synthesis, increase inflammation and oxidative stress, and disrupt brain metabolism. These biological changes may contribute to symptoms such as mood dysregulation, attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and anxiety in children and adolescents.
  
• Which micronutrients are most relevant in pediatric mental health?
  Key micronutrients include B vitamins, vitamin D, iron, zinc, magnesium, and omega‑3 fatty acids. These nutrients support processes such as serotonin synthesis, neuronal signaling, and immune regulation that influence mental health outcomes.
• What is the role of the gut microbiome in mental health?
  The gut microbiome influences brain function through immune, metabolic, and neural pathways. Diet shapes microbial composition, and imbalances in gut bacteria have been associated with inflammation and altered signaling that may affect mood and behavior.
• When should clinicians consider nutritional assessment in pediatric behavioral health?
  Nutritional assessment may be appropriate when symptoms are persistent, multifactorial, or treatment‑resistant, or when dietary inadequacies are suspected. Laboratory evaluation and dietary history can help identify modifiable contributors to mental health concerns.

References:

• Rucklidge et al. Micronutrients in paediatric mental illness. J Child Psychol Psychiatry, 2025. 
• Johnstone et al. Micronutrients for ADHD in youths (RCT). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 2022. 
• Chang et al. Omega‑3 fatty acids in ADHD: systematic review. Neuropsychopharmacology, 2018.
• Silvers E, Erlich K, Neurodiversity and Eating Disorders. Advances in Family Practice Nursing, 6, 2024. 
• Fiani et al. Iron supplementation and psychiatric outcomes. Neurosci Biobehav Rev, 2025. 
• Talebi et al. Zinc supplementation in ADHD: meta‑analysis. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2022. 
• Saxena et al. Mood disorders in youth: integrative medicine. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am, 2023. 
• Prades et al. Vitamin deficiency and supplementation in youth psychiatric disorders. Nutr Neurosci, 2023.

Disclosures:

• Kimberly J. Erlich is the founder and director of Pediatric Wellness Partners, San Carlos, CA