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DIETARY OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS SUPPLIMENTATION FOR ATTENTION DEFICIT WITH HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER IN EPILEPTIC CHILDREN

OANA TARŢA-ARSENE ^1#*, MĂDĂLINA LEANCA ^1#, ALICE DICĂ ^1#, EMA BRAN ^1#, FLORINA RAD ^1#, OLIVIA TIMNEA ^2#, DANIELA PĂCURAR ^3#, BRUNO ȘTEFAN VELESCU ^4#, ALINA CRENGUȚA NICOLAE ^5#, CRISTINA MANUELA DRĂGOI ^5#

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly frequent childhood disease usually treated with neurotropic stimulant drugs, therapy with serious side effects especially for children with neurologic comorbidities. Considering the low levels of essential fatty acids in children’s serum with this disorder, the present study evaluated the effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in ADHD children with epilepsy. 17 children with epilepsy and ADHD have been clinically evaluated concerning neurological, psychiatric, psychological, EEG, biochemical (urinary catecholamines) parameters. They received supplements with omega-3 fatty acids for 6 months (with re-evaluation of the biochemical markers and the psychological tests-Conners questionnaire). 14 children accomplished the study. All patients had high scores of ADHD questionnaires before adding-on the dietary supplement and after 6 months, 75% showed a significant improvement, by measuring the symptoms of inattention and impulsivity, academic and language difficulties. Regarding the catecholamines’ (namely adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine), our results showed a significant decrease of their levels in urine, compared to baseline. Regarding the behavioural benefit in combination with the low risk due to a good safety profile, the dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids offers a promising complementary approach to standard therapy.