title: Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in children with autism: a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is increasing evidence that fatty acid deficiencies or imbalances may contribute to childhood neurodevelopmental disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 6-week pilot trial investigating the effects of 1.5 g/d of omega-3 fatty acids (.84 g/d eicosapentaenoic acid, .7 g/d docosahexaenoic acid) supplementation in 13 children (aged 5 to 17 years) with autistic disorders accompanied by severe tantrums, aggression, or self-injurious behavior. The outcome measure was the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) at 6 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed an advantage of omega-3 fatty acids compared with placebo for hyperactivity and stereotypy, each with a large effect size. Repeated-measures ANOVA indicated a trend toward superiority of omega-3 fatty acids over placebo for hyperactivity. No clinically relevant adverse effects were elicited in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study provide preliminary evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may be an effective treatment for children with autism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. paul.amminger@meduniwien.ac.at
authors.forename: G Paul
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Amminger
authors.forename: Gregor E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Miriam R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Klier
authors.forename: Max H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Friedrich
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feucht
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3