Can Seafood Consumption Help Reduce Childhood Depression?

Significantly more depressed children who received omega-3 fatty acids achieved remission than those who received placebo.

The prevalence of major depression in school-age children is 2% to 4%. Clinicians and parents would welcome a natural therapeutic intervention for childhood depression. Studies in adults with mood disorders have shown a beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish (see Am J Psychiatry 2006; 163:969). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the primary marine-based long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the omega-3 group. To assess the potential therapeutic benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in childhood depression, 28 children with their first major depression (mean age, 10 years) were randomized to receive either omega-3 or placebo capsules daily for 16 weeks. The average duration of depression prior to study entry was 3.4 months.

Data from the 10 children in each group who completed at least 1 month of the study revealed significant improvements in the omega-3 group compared with the control group on three standardized depression rating scales. A greater than 50% reduction in depression symptoms was seen in seven children in the omega-3 group and none in the placebo group. Similarly, four children in the omega-3 group, but none in the control group, had a complete remission. The beneficial effect in the omega-3 group was statistically significant at weeks 8, 12, and 16. Clinically important side effects were not reported.

Comment: The findings of this preliminary study are encouraging and reflect the results of most adult studies in this area. Also, a large international study found a strong negative correlation between fish consumption and major depression. One possible explanation for this relation is that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammatory mediators from arachidonic acid and help maintain CNS membrane integrity.

As with all small studies, pediatricians should interpret these results with caution. It would be a major breakthrough to discover that specific fatty acids found in seafood can treat (and potentially prevent) mood disorders in children. We need much more research in this area in order to establish clinical recommendations.

— Martin T. Stein, MD

Published in Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine August 16, 2006

Citation(s):

Nemets H et al. Omega-3 treatment of childhood depression: A controlled, double-blind pilot study. Am J Psychiatry 2006 Jun; 163:1098-100.

Home	Can Seafood Consumption Help Reduce Childhood Depression? Significantly more depressed children who received omega-3 fatty acids achieved remission than those who received placebo. The prevalence of major depression in school-age children is 2% to 4%. Clinicians and parents would welcome a natural therapeutic intervention for childhood depression. Studies in adults with mood disorders have shown a beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish (see Am J Psychiatry 2006; 163:969). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the primary marine-based long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the omega-3 group. To assess the potential therapeutic benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in childhood depression, 28 children with their first major depression (mean age, 10 years) were randomized to receive either omega-3 or placebo capsules daily for 16 weeks. The average duration of depression prior to study entry was 3.4 months. Data from the 10 children in each group who completed at least 1 month of the study revealed significant improvements in the omega-3 group compared with the control group on three standardized depression rating scales. A greater than 50% reduction in depression symptoms was seen in seven children in the omega-3 group and none in the placebo group. Similarly, four children in the omega-3 group, but none in the control group, had a complete remission. The beneficial effect in the omega-3 group was statistically significant at weeks 8, 12, and 16. Clinically important side effects were not reported. Comment: The findings of this preliminary study are encouraging and reflect the results of most adult studies in this area. Also, a large international study found a strong negative correlation between fish consumption and major depression. One possible explanation for this relation is that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammatory mediators from arachidonic acid and help maintain CNS membrane integrity. As with all small studies, pediatricians should interpret these results with caution. It would be a major breakthrough to discover that specific fatty acids found in seafood can treat (and potentially prevent) mood disorders in children. We need much more research in this area in order to establish clinical recommendations. *— Martin T. Stein, MD* Published in Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine August 16, 2006 Citation(s): Nemets H et al. Omega-3 treatment of childhood depression: A controlled, double-blind pilot study. Am J Psychiatry 2006 Jun; 163:1098-100.
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