Omega-3 fatty acids in treatment of children with pervasive developmental disorders

Abstract EN

To evaluate the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of children with pervasive developmental disorders.

Methods: In this 8 weeks clinical trial study omega-3 fatty acids (Fish oil: 294 mg and Efamol Pure Evening Primrose Oil: 110 mg) 1- 2 capsules per day according to the case were administered to 25 children who were diagnosed as autistic disorder.

Those children were assessed using ATEC at baseline (before starting of treatment) and at the end of the study (after 8 weeks).

Results: Subjects taking Efalex Efamol omega-3 fatty acids were improved in all the subscales.

Significant improvement (P<0.05) in Speech/ Language/ Communication subscale and also significant improvement in Sensory/ Cognitive Awareness subscale (improvement more than 10% in 13 of 25 cases (52%) in both subscales).

Highly significant (P<0.0001) in Sociability subscale (improvement more than 10% in 19 of 25 cases (76%)) and Health/ Physical/ Behavior subscale (showed improvement more than 10% in 16 of 25 cases (64%)) and also highly significant for total score of ATEC (improvement more than 10% in 19 of 25cases (76%)) at the study end point.

Conclusions: Efalex Efamol omega-3 fatty acids were efficacious in improving core symptoms associated with autistic disorder.

Key words: Pervasive Developmental Disorders- omega-3 fatty acids-Autistic disorder- ATEC-