Table 1.
Summary of Supplementation Studies of n-3 PUFAs in Children with ADHD.
| Study | Indication | Doses (mg) | Dur (wk) | Main Outcome | Safety Concerns/Idiosyncrasies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voigt et al. (2001) | ADHD | DHA: 345 | 16 | CBCL/CCTT/CRS/TOVA: No Diff | No AE |
| Richardson et al. (2002) | ADHD | EPA:186 DHA:480 |
12 | Improved CPRS-L ADHD Subscales & DSM inattention, DSM global total | AE: N-3 (Digestive:1); Placebo (Digestive:1) |
| Sinn et al. (2008) | ADHD | EPA:93 DHA:29 |
15 | Improved TEA-ch creature counting accuracy | AE (did not indicate whether n-3 or placebo): Nausea:2 Nosebleeds:1 |
| Vaisman et al. (2008) | ADHD | EPA: 153 DHA: 96 |
12 | Improved TOVA scores | AE (did not indicate whether n-3 or placebo, but no difference in attrition rates between groups): GI:3, rash:1 |
| Manor et al. (2012) | ADHD | EPA:560 DHA: 40 |
15 | Improved CRS-P: RI subscale + CHQ PE subscale scores | AE: N-3 (GI:6; AD:1; Elevated GOT:1; Hyperactivity:1; Nausea:1; Tantrums:2; Tics:1); Placebo (GI:4; Headache:1) |
| Perera et al. (2012) | ADHD | EPA:560 | 24 | Improved in inattention, impulsiveness, and cooperation with teachers and parents | No AE |
| Widenhorn-Muller et al. (2014) | ADHD | EPA:600 DHA:120 |
16 | Improved CBCL-P: thought problems, CBCL-T aggressive behaviors, HAWIK-IV: WMI, DS, DBW | No AE |
| Chang et al. (2019) | ADHD | EPA: 1200 | 12 | Improved in CPT (Focused attention, Vigilance) | No AE |
Note: AD, atopic dermatitis; ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; AE, adverse events; CBCL, Child Behavior Checklist; CBCL-P, parent rated; CBCL-T, teacher rated; CCTT, Children's Color Trails test; CHQ, Child Health Questionnaire; CPRS-L & CRS-P, Conner's Parent Rating Scale; CRS, Conner's Rating Scale; DBW, digit backward task; DHA: docosahexaenoic acid; Diff, difference; DS, digit span; DSM, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid; GI, gastrointestinal; GOT, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, HAWIK, Hamburg Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children; N-3, omega-3 fatty acids; PE, Parent impact-emotional subscale; RI, Restless/Impulsive subscale; TEA-ch, Test of Everyday Attention for Children; TOVA, Test of Variables of Attention; Wk, weeks; WMI, working memory index.