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RCT: Omega‐3 fatty acids not supported as adjunct therapy for pediatric depression

Alison Knopf

The Brown University Child & Adolescent Psychopharmacology Update, 2026

Abstract

A randomized clinical trial (RCT) of children and adolescents found that omega‐3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA, as an adjunct to antidepressants, did not outperform placebo in youths with major depressive disorder (MDD).

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.

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