Fish oil contains fatty acids that are critical to brain development in very young children, and children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have lower levels of these fatty acids than normal children. Although medical science hasn't definitively proven a link between improvements in ADHD and fish oil for toddlers, a 2007 study from the University of South Australia involving older children found that fish oil helped curb several typical ADHD behaviors, including inattentiveness and impulsiveness. Because of that, parents might want to consider fish oil supplements for toddlers diagnosed with ADHD.
Significance
Around two million children have been diagnosed with either ADHD or attention-deficit disorder (ADD) in the United States. The first signs of ADHD usually appear when the child is a toddler, and clinicians are striving to diagnose it earlier so that affected children can get treatment. Although stimulant medications such as Ritalin or Adderall remain the first line of treatment, many parents, especially those of toddlers, say they want to try a natural approach that includes fish oil.
Function
Fish oil contains high levels of several omega-3 fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Researchers believe that DHA and EPA have important roles in brain function, although the mechanism isn't completely understood. Toddlers with ADHD may have low levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which potentially can be corrected through fish oil supplementation.
Effects
Researchers haven't looked specifically at the effect of fish oil supplementation on toddlers with ADHD. But in the 2007 study conducted at the University of South Australia, clinicians followed 104 children, some of whom were as young as seven years old, who tried taking fish oil to help their ADHD symptoms. Parents of test subjects reported moderate to strong improvements in ADHD-related problems, such as inattention, impulsive behavior and hyperactivity.
Considerations
Although manufacturers routinely supplement infant formulas with omega-3 fatty acids, some of which come from fish oil, effective doses of fish oil are not clearly established for toddlers and children, according to the National Library of Medicine. The National Institutes of Health warns that parents should not feed their children fish oil supplements without approval from their pediatrician.
Warning
It's possible to obtain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and combat ADHD by eating oily fish, but that may not be the best option for toddlers and young children. According to the Food and Drug Administration, nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury, a toxic metal. The FDA warns toddlers and pregnant women not to eat several types of fish, including shark and swordfish, due to high levels of mercury. In addition, the FDA says toddlers should limit total fish consumption to 12 ounces a week, or about three or four toddler-sized servings.
