Effect of Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids Administration on Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A
Puneet Anand1, Ankur Sachdeva2
1Senior Resident, Department of Pediatrics, ESIC Medical College and Hospital , Faridabad, Haryana, India .
Insights
Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) supplementation may improve Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children. However, the observed benefits were not statistically significant and require prolonged duration and adequate doses for clinical relevance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Nutritional Psychiatry
- Child Psychiatry
Background:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent childhood disorder.
- Nutritional deficiencies, especially Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA), are implicated in ADHD.
- PUFA supplementation is proposed as a potential therapeutic intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of PUFA administration in Indian children diagnosed with ADHD.
- To assess the impact of Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexanoic acid (DHA) on ADHD symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted.
- Participants (4-11 years) received either Atomoxetine alone (control) or Atomoxetine with EPA and DHA (study group).
- Symptom severity was monitored over 4 months using Conner's Parent Rating Scale - Revised (CPRS-R).
Main Results:
- The study group showed a trend towards greater reduction in ADHD scores (p=0.08).
- Improvements were more pronounced in male subjects with combined-type ADHD.
- The observed differences between groups did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusions:
- PUFA supplementation shows potential for improving ADHD symptoms.
- Clinical significance requires prolonged administration and adequate dosages.
- Further research is needed to establish optimal PUFA treatment protocols for ADHD.
Introduction:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder of childhood. Studies have indicated nutritional deficiencies, particularly Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) deficiency in these children and have suggested supplementation with PUFA for clinical improvement.
Aim:
The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of PUFA administration in Indian children with ADHD.
Settings And Design:
The study was conducted in the paediatrics and psychiatry departments of a tertiary care hospital. We conducted a prospective double blind randomized control trial on children aged 4-11 years, diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-IV TR criterias and Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia - Present and lifetime version.
Materials And Methods:
The study subjects were randomized into study and control groups. The control group was administered Atomoxetine, while the study group received Atomoxetine along with Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexanoic acid (DHA). Both groups were followed up every 2 weeks over the next 4 months using Conner's Parent Rating Scale - Revised (CPRS-R).
Statistical Analysis:
The data was carefully analysed by SPSS (17th version) software with the help of a statistician. Confidence interval of 95% was used. The complete data was analysed using appropriate parametric and non parametric tests. Correlation was done between various socio-demographic and illness related parameters. For all analyses, probability of 5% or less was assumed to represent statistical significance.
Results:
Fifty children diagnosed with ADHD were randomized to study group (n=25) and control group (n=25). The study group had greater reduction in ADHD scores as compared to the control group, although not statistically significant (p = 0.08). Improvement was more significant in male study subjects with combined type of ADHD.
Conclusion:
It may be concluded that PUFA supplementation improves the symptoms of ADHD. However, the effect is not clinically significant if supplementation is not given for prolonged duration and in adequate doses.
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