title: Omega-3 fatty acids in the management of autism spectrum disorders: findings from an open-label pilot study in Singapore.
abstract: The goal of this open-label trial was to examine the efficacy and safety of a 12-week omega-3 fatty acids supplementation among children suffering with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). A total of 41 children and adolescents aged 7-18 years (36 boys, 5 girls; mean age = 11.66, s.d. = 3.05) diagnosed with ASD participated in the study. At post-treatment, participants showed significant improvements on all subscales of the Social Responsiveness Scale (P < 0.01) and the Social and Attention Problems syndrome scales of the Child Behavior Checklist (P < 0.05). Blood fatty acid levels were significantly correlated with changes in the core symptoms of ASD. Baseline levels of blood fatty acid levels were also predictive of response to the omega-3 treatment. Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation was well-tolerated and did not cause any serious side effects. Our findings lend some preliminary support for the use of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in addressing ASD. Future randomized controlled trials of omega-3 fatty acids in ASD with blood fatty acid measurements with a larger sample and longer follow-up period is warranted.
authors: 1] Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland [2] Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore [3] Child Guidance Clinic, 3 Second Hospital Avenue, Health Promotion Board, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Y P
authors: YP
authors: Ooi
authors: 1] Child Guidance Clinic, 3 Second Hospital Avenue, Health Promotion Board, Singapore, Singapore [2] DUKE-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: S-J
authors: SJ
authors: Weng
authors: Child Guidance Clinic, 3 Second Hospital Avenue, Health Promotion Board, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: L Y
authors: LY
authors: Jang
authors: Child Guidance Clinic, 3 Second Hospital Avenue, Health Promotion Board, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Low
authors: Child Guidance Clinic, 3 Second Hospital Avenue, Health Promotion Board, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Seah
authors: Child Guidance Clinic, 3 Second Hospital Avenue, Health Promotion Board, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Teo
authors: National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: R P
authors: RP
authors: Ang
authors: 1] Child Guidance Clinic, 3 Second Hospital Avenue, Health Promotion Board, Singapore, Singapore [2] DUKE-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: C G
authors: CG
authors: Lim
authors: Child Guidance Clinic, 3 Second Hospital Avenue, Health Promotion Board, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Liew
authors: 1] Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore [2] Child Guidance Clinic, 3 Second Hospital Avenue, Health Promotion Board, Singapore, Singapore [3] DUKE-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: D S
authors: DS
authors: Fung
authors: Child Guidance Clinic, 3 Second Hospital Avenue, Health Promotion Board, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Sung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000067290:Behavior Rating Scale; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012846:Singapore; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3