Omega 3 fatty acid treatment in autism.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of omega-3 fatty acids for children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).


METHODS
This was an open-label pilot study. Ten children aged 4-7 years old with ASD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4(th) edition (DSM-IV), were given 1 gram daily of omega-3 fatty acids for 12 weeks. The main outcome measure used was the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). These data were collected between July, 2006, and June, 2007.


RESULTS
Of the 9 subjects who completed the study, 8 showed improvement of about 33% on the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). None worsened and no side effects were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Omega-3 fatty acids appear to be safe and might be helpful for children suffering from ASD. Further study is needed with a larger number of children in a double-blind design and with various doses of omega-3 fatty acids.
Meiri
Gal
G
Soroka University Medical Center , Beersheba, Israel. belmaker@bgu.ac.il
Bichovsky
Yoav
Y
Belmaker
R H
RH
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3