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Prenatal Omega-6:Omega-3 Ratio and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms

Mónica López-Vicente1, Núria Ribas Fitó2, Natalia Vilor-Tejedor3

  • 1Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Centres Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|April 2, 2019
PubMed

Insights

A higher prenatal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in cord plasma was linked to more attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children at age 7. This suggests maternal diet during pregnancy may influence ADHD risk.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Health

Background:

  • The balance of omega-6 and omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) is crucial for brain development.
  • An imbalanced ratio, particularly a high omega-6:omega-3 ratio, has been hypothesized to be a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between the omega-6:omega-3 LC-PUFA ratio in cord plasma and the presence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms.
  • To assess this association at two key developmental stages: 4 and 7 years of age.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based birth cohort study in Spain.
  • Measurement of omega-6 arachidonic acid and omega-3 eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid concentrations in cord plasma.
  • Assessment of ADHD symptoms using teacher and parent-reported checklists and rating scales at ages 4 and 7, analyzed as continuous and dichotomous variables.

Main Results:

  • A higher omega-6:omega-3 LC-PUFA ratio in cord plasma was significantly associated with a higher ADHD index score at 7 years of age (IRR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.03-1.23).
  • No significant association was found at 4 years of age (IRR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.92-1.18).
  • No associations were observed when ADHD symptoms were analyzed based on diagnostic criteria.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated prenatal omega-6:omega-3 LC-PUFA ratios may precede the development of subclinical ADHD symptoms in mid-childhood.
  • Maternal diet during pregnancy could play a role in modulating the risk of offspring developing long-term ADHD symptoms.
Abstract

Keywords:
childrenlong-chain polyunsaturated fatty acidsneurodevelopmentpopulation-based cohort

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