Omega-3 fatty acids, found naturally in fish and seafood, might help boost children's brain power, as well as improve symptoms of learning difficulties, such as dyspraxia, dyslexia and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Since many children's diets contain small amounts of seafood, many parents turn to fish oil supplements to ensure their children get adequate amounts of this nutrient. The American Academy of Pediatrics, AAP, recommends consulting with your child's doctor before giving her any type of nutritional supplement, including fish oil, to ensure the preparation is safe and appropriate for her situation.
Significance
Medline Plus indicates that low levels of fish oil supplementation, less than 3 g per day, is likely safe for most people, including children. Dr. Alex Richardson, a senior research fellow from Oxford University, in an article on the "Daily Mail" website, suggests that 450 to 500 mg is a reasonable dosage for most adults and children, but this will vary depending upon your child's age, so ask your child's doctor for specific dosage and brand recommendations.
Considerations
Certain children should not take fish oil supplements, according to The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Contraindicated groups include children with a known hypersensitivity to fish oils, those with bleeding disorders or ones taking anti-coagulant or anti-platelet medicine. The Royal Children's Hospital stresses that your child should take fish oils in addition to her normal ADHD medications, not in place of these medicines.
Misconceptions
Although many types of fish, including shark, king mackerel and farm-raised salmon, contain high levels of mercury and other contaminants unsafe for children, fish oil supplements do not have these contaminants. Mayoclinic.com stresses that methyl mercury and other contaminants accumulate in fish meat, not in the oil, so fish oil supplements do not pose the same risks as eating the fish. Most supplements also go through a refining process in which the manufacturer removes these contaminants.
Warning
The AAP acknowledges that nutritional supplements, like fish oils, can potentially benefit children with certain health conditions, but the group cautions that mega-vitamin therapy or orthomolecular medicine -- the practice of giving very large doses of vitamins or supplements -- lacks proven scientific benefit and might even harm your child. Never give your child more than the doctor-recommended amount and store the supplements out of your child's reach.
Potential
Some children might need higher doses of the supplements to see any type of beneficial effects, according to Dr. Richardson, but you should never give your child more than 1,000 mg a day without expert supervision. Although the higher dosages will probably not harm your child, they can cause side effects, such as stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea and gas.
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