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# Omega-3 for toddlers born early: a small boost in attention years later
- URL: https://www.metabolic-healing.com/omega-3-for-toddlers-born-early-a-small-boost-in-attention-years-later/
- Published: 2026-10-26T11:06:18.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-26T11:06:18.000Z
- Author: Metabolic Healing
- Tags: ADHD, Autism

**What was studied:** Children born early (before 35 weeks) are more likely to develop ADHD or autism. In the Omega Tots trial in Ohio, toddlers born early got either a daily omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplement (DHA plus arachidonic acid) or a placebo for 6 months around their first birthday. Researchers followed up 376 of these children at age 8 to 10.

**What they found:** Children who got the supplement did slightly better on a computer test of attention and self-control, especially those who ate little omega-3 in their diet. Teachers reported fewer attention problems in one subgroup, children who weren't born very small. But the supplement did not change how likely children were to be diagnosed with ADHD or autism.

**Why it matters:** It's a randomized trial with long follow-up, which is rare in nutrition research. It suggests early nutrition may modestly help attention in some children born early, and that it may matter most for children whose diets are low in omega-3.

**Honest limits:** The benefits were small, and several showed up only in subgroups, which can happen by chance. There was no effect on ADHD or autism diagnoses. These results apply to children born early, not all children.

**Read the original:** Robinette et al., *Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders* (2026): [https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-026-07566-z](https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-026-07566-z?ref=metabolic-healing.com)

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