• May Loong Tan, Jacqueline J Ho, and Keng Hwang Teh.
• Department of Paediatrics, Penang Medical College, Penang, Malaysia. mltan@pmc.edu.my.
• Cochrane Db Syst Rev. 2012 Jan 1; 12: CD009398.

BackgroundAbout 5% of schoolchildren have a specific learning disorder, defined as an unexpected failure to acquire adequate abilities in reading, writing or mathematic skills not as a result of reduced intellectual ability, inadequate teaching or social deprivation. Of these, 80% are reading disorders. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), in particular omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are found abundantly in the brain and retina are important for learning. Some children with specific learning disorders have been found to be deficient in these PUFAs, and it is argued that supplementation of PUFAs may help these children improve their learning abilities.ObjectivesTo assess the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) supplementation for children with specific learning disorders, on learning outcomes.Search MethodsWe searched the following databases in April 2012: CENTRAL (2012, Issue 4), MEDLINE (1948 to April Week 2 2012), EMBASE (1980 to 2012 Week 16), PsycINFO (1806 to April 2012), ERIC (1966 to April 2012), Science Citation Index (1970 to 20 April 2012), Social Science Citation Index (1970 to 20 April 2012), Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science (1970 to 20 April 2012), Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Social Sciences and Humanites (1970 to 20 April 2012), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2012, Issue 4), DARE (2012, Issue 2) , ZETOC (24 April 2012) and WorldCat (24 April 2012). We searched the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov on 24 April 2012. We also searched the reference lists of relevant articles identified by the searches.Selection CriteriaRandomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with placebo or no treatment in children aged below 18 years with specific learning disabilities diagnosed using DSM-IV, ICD-10 or equivalent criteria. We intended to include participants with co-existing developmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism.Data Collection And AnalysisTwo authors (ML and KH) independently screened the titles and abstracts of the search results and eliminated all studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria. Authors were contacted for missing information and clarifications when needed.Main ResultsWe did not find any studies suitable for inclusion in the review. One study is awaiting classification as we were unable to get any information from the study author.Authors' ConclusionsThere is insufficient evidence to draw any conclusion about the use of PUFAs for children with specific learning disorders. There is a need for well designed randomised studies to support or refute the use of PUFAs in this group of children.

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