Using high-dose omega-3 fatty acid supplements to lower triglyceride levels in 10- to 19-year-olds.
BACKGROUND
Omega-3 fatty acids supplements lower triglyceride (TG) levels in adults; little pediatric information is available. We evaluated their effect in hypertriglyceridemic adolescents.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients aged 10 to 19 years with TG levels 150 to 1000 mg/dL were randomized to 6 months double-blind trial of Lovaza (~3360 mg docosahexaenoic acid + eicosapentaenoic acid per day) versus placebo.


RESULTS
Baseline mean TG levels were 227 mg/dL (standard deviation = 49). TG levels declined at 3 months in the Lovaza group by 54 ± 27 mg/dL (mean ± standard error; P = .02) and by 34 ± 26 mg/dL (P = .16) in the placebo group. The difference in TG lowering between groups was not significant (P = .52). There were no between-group differences in endothelial function, blood pressure, body mass index, C-reactive protein, or side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
High-dose omega-3 fatty acid supplements are well tolerated in adolescents. However, declines in TG levels did not differ significantly from Placebo in this small study.
1Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Sarah D
SD
de Ferranti
Carly E
CE
Milliren
Erica R
ER
Denhoff
Sarah K
SK
Steltz
Elif Seda
ES
Selamet Tierney
Henry A
HA
Feldman
Stavroula K
SK
Osganian
D000293:Adolescent; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002239:Carbohydrate Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005991:Glycerol Kinase / Q000172:deficiency; D006801:Humans; D000075262:Hypoadrenocorticism, Familial; D008297:Male; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D014280:Triglycerides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005991:Glycerol Kinase
adolescent; child; hyperlipidemia; omega-3 fatty acids; randomized controlled trial; triglycerides