Review Article

Do Omega-3/6 Fatty Acids Have a Therapeutic Role in Children and Young People with ADHD?

Table 1

Methods used to screen for ADHD.

AuthorDefinition used

Barragán et al. (2017)ADHD of any subtype. Diagnosed according to the DSM-IV criteria and CGI-S scale.

Bos et al. (2015)ADHD diagnosis confirmed by a trained researcher using the DISC-P.

Matsudaira et al. (2015)ADHD diagnosis confirmed through a semi-structured interview based on the DSM-IV criteria.

Milte et al. (2015)Diagnosis of ADHD or parent-rated symptoms >90th percentile on the CPRS and parent-reported learning difficulties.

Wu et al. (2015)ADHD diagnosed according to DSM-IV and the Chinese version of CPRS. These rating scales about learning, attention, and behaviour were completed by the teachers and either parent(s) or guardians.

Widenhorn-Müller et al. (2014)Met DSM-IV criteria for the ADHD combined subtype (hyperactive–inattentive) and the primarily inattentive or the hyperactive/impulsive subtype were included in the trial.

Manor et al. (2013)Children were included if they had a score of at least 1.5 standard deviations above the normal for the patient’s age and gender in the Teacher-Rated ADHD Rating Scale-IV School Version.

Hariri et al. (2012)Conners’ Abbreviated Questionnaires scores for hyperactivity were greater than 14.

Johnson et al. (2012)Participants met DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD.

Milte et al. (2012)Diagnosis of ADHD or parent-rated symptoms >90th percentile on the CPRS and parent-reported learning difficulties.

Perera et al. (2012)All children in the program were clinically diagnosed using DSM-IV supported by positive scores in Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham version IV (SNAP) parent and teacher evaluation.

Gustafsson et al. (2010)Clinical diagnosis of ADHD of combined type (fulfilling DSM-IV criteria A–E) with any neuropsychiatric comorbidity and who had been evaluated for pharmacological treatment.

Johnson et al. (2009)Participants met DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD of any subtype, scoring at least 1.5 SD above the age norm for their diagnostic subtype using norms for the ADHD Rating Scale–IV–Parent Version.

Raz et al. (2009)Parents were asked to present a formal ADHD diagnosis. The child performed a continuous performance test, while one of the parents filled in the essential fatty acids deficiency questionnaire and the DSM-IV questionnaire.

Hirayama et al. (2004)Diagnosed or suspected as AD/HD according to DSM-IV and diagnostic interviews including behaviour observation by psychiatrists. In a strict sense, eight subjects might not be AD/HD according to the DSM-IV criteria, but two psychiatrists attending the summer camp strongly suspected them as AD/HD.

Voigt et al. (2001)Previously been given a diagnosis of ADHD by a physician. Confirmatory diagnostic interview with a neurodevelopmental paediatrician to confirm responses to the telephone interview and to ensure that each met DSM-IV.

Key. ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; CGI-S scale; Clinical Global Impressions-Severity scale; CPRS, Conners’ Parent Rating Scale; DISC-P, Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-Parent Version; DSM-IV; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.