Quick answer

The label of a prescription omega-3 medicine says its safety and effectiveness in children have not been established. A 2021 review of 31 trials in 1,755 children and teens found no rise in side effects and no effect on attention symptoms. Ask a pediatrician before giving a child or teen any omega-3 supplement.^1,2

Key facts

The label of a prescription omega-3 medicine says safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.¹
A 2021 meta-analysis of 31 trials in 1,755 children and teens found that polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements did not increase side effects.²
The same meta-analysis found no effect on attention symptoms, behavior or quality of life, while rating the certainty of the evidence as questionable.²
NIH says about 1.1% of US children used fish oil or other omega-3 supplements in a 2012 national survey.³
FDA and EPA advise 2 servings a week of lower-mercury fish for children ages 1 to 11, with servings from 1 ounce at age 1 to 3 to 4 ounces at age 11.⁴

What do the official sources say about omega-3 for children?

No tolerable upper intake level has been set for EPA or DHA at any age, and the recommended amounts NIH lists by age cover only the plant omega-3 called ALA. The consumer sheet says experts have not established recommended amounts for the others, so there is no official target for a child's fish oil.^3,5

The label of a prescription omega-3 medicine is more cautious: it says safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established, and its patient leaflet says it is not known if the medicine is safe and effective in children. Its pharmacokinetics were not studied in children either.¹

For use in the population at large, NIH's professional sheet says that in a 2012 national survey 1.1% of US children used supplements containing fish oil, omega-3s or DHA and EPA. Food supplies about 40 mg of EPA and DHA a day to the average child or teen.³

What have trials in children and teens found?

Most trials in young people are about attention and behavior. A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis pooled 31 randomized trials with 1,755 children and adolescents who had ADHD. Supplements of polyunsaturated fatty acids had no effect on attention symptoms rated by parents or teachers, on behavior or on quality of life, and they did not increase the number of side effects. The authors rated the certainty of the evidence as questionable and said no firm guidance could be drawn.²

NCCIH describes a 2023 Cochrane review of 36 studies that reached a similar conclusion for children and adolescents with ADHD, and it says research on omega-3 supplements for this has had conflicting results and that it is uncertain whether they have any benefit for symptoms.⁶

For other questions in healthy children, the sources checked do not report trial data on supplements, which is a gap and not a finding that nothing happens.^3,6

How much fish do FDA and EPA advise for children?

FDA and EPA advise 2 servings a week from their Best Choices list for children, and a serving shrinks with age: about 1 ounce at 1 to 3 years, 2 ounces at 4 to 7, 3 ounces at 8 to 10 and 4 ounces at 11. NCCIH notes that smaller amounts of seafood are recommended for young children.^4,6

FDA and EPA serving sizes of lower-mercury fish for children⁴
Age	About how much in one serving
1 to 3 years	1 ounce
4 to 7 years	2 ounces
8 to 10 years	3 ounces
11 years	4 ounces

Which cautions apply to a child or teen taking omega-3?

It is not known whether people allergic to fish or shellfish are more likely to react to a prescription omega-3 medicine made from fish oil. Its label advises caution in people with these allergies.¹

Side effects are usually mild: an unpleasant taste, bad breath, heartburn, nausea, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, headache and smelly sweat.^3,5,6

NIH's list of reasons to ask a doctor includes being under 18, and the same list names fish or shellfish allergy, a blood thinner or aspirin, and a bleeding disorder. Teens who take any prescription medicine should have a pharmacist check the label of a supplement first.^3,5

Who should ask a doctor before a child or teen takes omega-3?

The child's pediatrician, before giving any omega-3 supplement to a child.¹
A pharmacist or doctor, when a teen takes a blood thinner, aspirin or any prescribed medicine, or has a bleeding disorder.⁵
An allergist or doctor, if the child has a fish or shellfish allergy, since it is not known whether those people react to omega-3 made from fish oil.¹
A doctor, when a child has ADHD and a parent is considering a supplement beside prescribed care, because the trials found no effect on attention symptoms.²

Questions people ask

Is omega 3 safe for kids?

The label of a prescription omega-3 medicine says its safety in children has not been established. A 2021 meta-analysis of 31 trials found supplements did not raise side effects in children with ADHD, but those trials were not about healthy children. Ask a pediatrician.^1,2

Is omega 3 good for kids with ADHD?

A 2021 meta-analysis of 31 trials found no effect on attention symptoms, behavior or quality of life, and NCCIH says it is uncertain whether omega-3s help symptoms. Ask your child's doctor before using a supplement beside prescribed care.^2,6

Is omega 3 fish oil safe for teens?

No source checked sets a limit for teens on EPA or DHA, and NIH's list of reasons to ask a doctor includes being under 18. Teens on a blood thinner, or with a fish allergy, should ask a pharmacist or doctor first.^3,5

Is omega 3 good for teens?

NIH lists recommended amounts only for the plant omega-3 ALA, and none for EPA or DHA. The sources checked do not report trial results on supplements in healthy teens, so ask a doctor about any particular reason for using one.⁵

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This page is information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.