Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Autism Spectrum Disorders

The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Management of Singaporean Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

This is a 12-week open label trial to evaluate whether omega-3 fatty acids is effective in reducing the severity of autism and its comorbidities.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Between ages 5 and 18 years old
• Diagnosed to have Autism, Asperger Syndrome, or PDDNOS by the DSM-IV criteria; met the Autism or Spectrum classification for Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
• Written parental consent for participation
• Those not on current standard-of-care treatments for ASD

Exclusion Criteria:

• Below 5 and above 18 years old
• No formal diagnosis of Autism, Asperger Syndrome or PDD-NOS
• Without written parental consent for participation
• Those with brain pathology such as serious head injury, epilepsy, etc.
• Those on current standard-of-care treatment for ASD
• Those with psychotic symptoms, self-injurious behaviours and/or suicidal tendency, and other history of clinically significant medical conditions screened by the attending doctor to have increase the risk associated with study participation
• Those on other types of medication or supplements or with change in dose