Omega-3 treatment of childhood depression: a controlled, double-blind pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Major depressive disorder in children may be more common than previously thought, and its therapeutics are unclear. Because of success in a previous study on omega-3 fatty acids in adult major depressive disorder, the authors planned a pilot study of omega-3 fatty acids in childhood major depression.


METHODS
Children who entered the study were between the ages of 6 and 12. Ratings were performed at baseline and at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks using Children's Depression Rating Scale (CDRS), Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and Clinical Global Impression (CGI). Children were randomized to omega-3 fatty acids or placebo as pharmacologic monotherapy. Twenty-eight patients were randomized, and 20 completed at least 1 month's ratings.


RESULTS
Analysis of variance showed highly significant effects of omega-3 on symptoms using the CDRS, CDI, and CGI.


CONCLUSIONS
Omega-3 fatty acids may have therapeutic benefits in childhood depression.
Nemets
Hanah
H
Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.
Nemets
Boris
B
Apter
Alan
A
Bracha
Ziva
Z
Belmaker
R H
RH
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D010919:Placebos; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid