Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of DHA in the Adjuvant Treatment of Children With ASD.

ASD

Autism Spectrum Disorders, ASD, Children, Autism, Docosahexaenoic acid, Inflammation, Oxidative stress, Intestinal microbiota, heavy metals

In the etiopathogenesis of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) several hypotheses have been described that include inflammation, metabolic alterations, activation of oxidative stress, changes in the intestinal microbiota and in the elimination capacity of heavy metals. Adjuvant therapies with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could modify these alterations.

Several hypotheses have been described in the etiopathogenesis and evolution of ASD, among which is that there is greater oxidative stress associated with a proinflammatory state, or even metabolic alterations after exposure to heavy metals, as well as differences in intestinal microbiota. This situation could negatively influence the correct establishment of neuronal synapses and their functioning, which have still been poorly investigated, especially in children. In this way, an early intervention with nutritional supplements with DHA, which could be deficient in autism, could decrease the proinflammatory and oxidative stress state, favoring the formation of neuronal synapses as well as their activity. This intervention could positively influence to prevent the clinical deterioration associated with ASD and it would be of special interest in early childhood since at this stage of neurodevelopment there is maximum neuronal plasticity.