Is it Safe for Children to Take Fish Oil Supplements?

Fish oil is a good source of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which are included in many infant formulas and may be helpful for brain development in children. Many parents, though, are concerned that fish oil supplements may pose a health risk to their children.

Effectiveness

• Studies show fish oil supports brain and heart health in adults, but little evidence exists that fish oil supplements are helpful in the development of mentally normal children.

Studies

• As of October 2006, there had been only six published scientific studies concerning fish oils for children, all focused on children with developmental disorders such as autism or ADHD. Three showed clear positive effects.

Main Concerns

• Concerns for children taking fish oil supplements include mercury and other heavy metals, allergic reactions to fish, bleeding problems, vitamin E deficiency, and vitamin A, D and E overdose.

Dosage

• You should dose fish oil supplements by weight. Overdose is easy and can cause problems in children, such as nosebleeds and blood in the urine.

Federal Regulations

• Supplements like fish oil are not FDA regulated. The U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) stamp of approval verifies whether a third party has tested a particular brand.

Government Recommendations

• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that low doses of fish oil supplements are "generally regarded as safe," but warns that you should only give your child fish oil under a doctor's supervision. The NIH does not recommend fish oil supplements for all children because of the lack of evidence for clear benefits.