Omega-3 and -6 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Sensory Processing in Toddlers with ASD Symptomology Born Preterm: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Overview

Journal Early Hum Dev

Publisher Elsevier

Specialties Gynecology & Obstetrics
Pediatrics
Reproductive Medicine

Date 2017 Sep 25

PMID 28941976

Citations 6

Authors

Kelly M Boone

Barbara Gracious

Mark A Klebanoff

Lynette K Rogers

Joseph Rausch

Daniel L Coury

Sarah A Keim

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Despite advances in the health and long-term survival of infants born preterm, they continue to face developmental challenges including higher risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and atypical sensory processing patterns.

Aims: This secondary analysis aimed to describe sensory profiles and explore effects of combined dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) supplementation on parent-reported sensory processing in toddlers born preterm who were exhibiting ASD symptoms.

Study Design: 90-day randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

Subjects: 31 children aged 18-38months who were born at ≤29weeks' gestation.

Outcome Measure: Mixed effects regression analyses followed intent to treat and explored effects on parent-reported sensory processing measured by the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile (ITSP).

Results: Baseline ITSP scores reflected atypical sensory processing, with the majority of atypical scores falling below the mean. Sensory processing sections: auditory (above=0%, below=65%), vestibular (above=13%, below=48%), tactile (above=3%, below=35%), oral sensory (above=10%; below=26%), visual (above=10%, below=16%); sensory processing quadrants: low registration (above=3%; below=71%), sensation avoiding (above=3%; below=39%), sensory sensitivity (above=3%; below=35%), and sensation seeking (above=10%; below=19%). Twenty-eight of 31 children randomized had complete outcome data. Although not statistically significant (p=0.13), the magnitude of the effect for reduction in behaviors associated with sensory sensitivity was medium to large (effect size=0.57). No other scales reflected a similar magnitude of effect size (range: 0.10 to 0.32).

Conclusions: The findings provide support for larger randomized trials of omega fatty acid supplementation for children at risk of sensory processing difficulties, especially those born preterm.

Citing Articles

Omega-3 fatty acids and health of auditory and vestibular systems: a comprehensive review.

Rahimi V, Tavanai E, Falahzadeh S, Ranjbar A, Farahani S Eur J Nutr. 2024; 63(5):1453-1469.

PMID: 38693450 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-024-03369-z.

A Comparison of the Clinical Presentation of Preterm Birth and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Commonalities and Distinctions in Children Under 3.

Mendez A, Tokish H, McQueen E, Chawla S, Klin A, Maitre N Clin Perinatol. 2023; 50(1):81-101.

PMID: 36868715 PMC: 10842306. DOI: 10.1016/j.clp.2022.11.001.

Perinatal Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Brain Development, Role in Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Martinat M, Rossitto M, Di Miceli M, Laye S Nutrients. 2021; 13(4).

PMID: 33918517 PMC: 8065891. DOI: 10.3390/nu13041185.

Impact of polyunsaturated fatty acids on patient-important outcomes in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review.

De Crescenzo F, DAlo G, Morgano G, Minozzi S, Mitrova Z, Saulle R Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2020; 18(1):28.

PMID: 32066439 PMC: 7026962. DOI: 10.1186/s12955-020-01284-5.

The Role of Lipidomics in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

El-Ansary A, Chirumbolo S, Bhat R, Dadar M, Ibrahim E, Bjorklund G Mol Diagn Ther. 2019; 24(1):31-48.

PMID: 31691195 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-019-00430-0.

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