Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2016 Sep;10(9):OC01-OC05.
doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/20423.8471. Epub 2016 Sep 1.

Effect of Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids Administration on Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Puneet Anand  1 , Ankur Sachdeva  2
Affiliations

Effect of Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids Administration on Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Puneet Anand et al. J Clin Diagn Res. 2016 Sep.

Abstract

Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder of childhood. Studies have indicated nutritional deficiencies, particularly Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) deficiency in these children and have suggested supplementation with PUFA for clinical improvement.

Aim: The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of PUFA administration in Indian children with ADHD.

Settings and design: The study was conducted in the paediatrics and psychiatry departments of a tertiary care hospital. We conducted a prospective double blind randomized control trial on children aged 4-11 years, diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-IV TR criterias and Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia - Present and lifetime version.

Materials and methods: The study subjects were randomized into study and control groups. The control group was administered Atomoxetine, while the study group received Atomoxetine along with Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexanoic acid (DHA). Both groups were followed up every 2 weeks over the next 4 months using Conner's Parent Rating Scale - Revised (CPRS-R).

Statistical analysis: The data was carefully analysed by SPSS (17th version) software with the help of a statistician. Confidence interval of 95% was used. The complete data was analysed using appropriate parametric and non parametric tests. Correlation was done between various socio-demographic and illness related parameters. For all analyses, probability of 5% or less was assumed to represent statistical significance.

Results: Fifty children diagnosed with ADHD were randomized to study group (n=25) and control group (n=25). The study group had greater reduction in ADHD scores as compared to the control group, although not statistically significant (p = 0.08). Improvement was more significant in male study subjects with combined type of ADHD.

Conclusion: It may be concluded that PUFA supplementation improves the symptoms of ADHD. However, the effect is not clinically significant if supplementation is not given for prolonged duration and in adequate doses.

Keywords: Atomoxetine; Docosahexanoic acid; Eicosapentanoic acid; Hyperactivity; Impulsivity.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

[Table/Fig-1]:
[Table/Fig-1]:
Flow chart for randomization
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Egger HL, Angold A. Common emotional and behavioural disorders in preschool children: presentation, nosology, and epidemiology. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2006;47:313–37. - PubMed
    1. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. American Psychiatric Association.
    1. Kidd PM. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (adhd) in children: rationale for its integrative management. Altern Med Rev. 2000;5(5):402–28. - PubMed
    1. Mitchell EA, Aman MG, Turbott SH, Manku M. Clinical characteristics and serum essential fatty acid levels in hyperactive children. Clin Paediatr. 1987;26:406–411. - PubMed
    1. Makrides M, Neumann M, Simmer K, Pater J, Gibson R. Are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids essential nutrients in infancy? Lancet. 1995;345:1463–67. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources