Choline supplementation in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders has high feasibility and tolerability

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pediatrics
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) present lifelong challenges with no current biological treatments.
• Prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to physical anomalies, brain damage, and neurocognitive deficits.
• Preclinical research suggests choline may mitigate memory and learning impairments from prenatal alcohol exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and tolerability of choline supplementation in children diagnosed with FASD.
• To evaluate potential adverse effects associated with choline supplementation in this pediatric population.
• To establish safe dosage and administration protocols for future efficacy studies.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 20 children aged 2.5 to 4.9 years with FASD.
• Participants received either 500 mg of choline or a placebo daily for 9 months.
• Feasibility, tolerability, adverse events, and serum choline levels were primary outcome measures.

Main Results:

• The study demonstrated high feasibility and tolerability, with 17 out of 20 participants completing the trial.
• Compliance rates ranged from 82% to 87%, indicating good adherence.
• Adverse events were minimal and similar between groups, with fishy body odor noted in the choline group; no serious adverse events occurred.

Conclusions:

• Choline supplementation at 500 mg/day for 9 months is feasible and well-tolerated in young children (2-5 years) with FASD.
• The findings support further investigation into the efficacy of choline for treating FASD.
• This pilot study provides a foundation for larger clinical trials examining choline's therapeutic potential in FASD.