Abstract
OBJECTIVE:: The aim of the study was to determine whether docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation improves the behavior of children with autism. METHODS:: A group of 3- to 10-year-old children with autism were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive a supplement containing 200 mg of DHA or a placebo for 6 months. The parents and the investigator completed the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale to rate changes in core symptoms of autism after 3 and 6 months. The parents completed the Child Development Inventory and the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, and both parents and teachers completed the Behavior Assessment Scale for Children (BASC) at enrollment and after 6 months. RESULTS:: A total of 48 children (40 [83%] boys, mean age [standard deviation] 6.1 [2.0] years) were enrolled; 24 received DHA and 24 placebo. Despite a median 431% increase in total plasma DHA levels after 6 months, the DHA group was not rated as improved in core symptoms of autism compared to the placebo group on the CGI-I. Based on the analysis of covariance models adjusted for the baseline rating scores, parents (but not teachers) provided a higher average rating of social skills on the BASC for the children in the placebo group compared to the DHA group (P=0.04), and teachers (but not parents) provided a higher average rating of functional communication on the BASC for the children in the DHA group compared to the placebo group (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS:: Dietary DHA supplementation of 200 mg/day for 6 months does not improve the core symptoms of autism. Our results may have been limited by inadequate sample size.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 715-722 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition |
Volume | 58 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2014 |
Keywords
- Autism
- Complementary and alternative therapy
- Dietary supplements
- Docosahexaenoic acid
- Fish oil
- Pervasive developmental disorders
- V-3 fatty acids
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Gastroenterology