Guest guest Posted April 25, 2002 Report Share Posted April 25, 2002 Hi Everyone, These issues about the potential side effects of the EFAs do frequently come up. I typically mention the anticoagulation effect to parents b/c everyone always asks about side effects. The only way we are going to know for sure is to do a bleeding time on a group of kids on EFAs. It is a blood test to check how fast your blood clots. There was one case that came up maybe 6 mos ago about a mom who discovered increased bruising in her child. I suggested she take him off the EFAs and get a CBC to check his platelets. The blood test was fine and she resumed the supplement at a lower dose. Re: seizures, I think there is probably a very small risk and a lot to gain in a seizure prone child. I think if we suggest starting with a low dose and building up slowing there shouldn't be a problem. There is always the possibility of drug interactions with the EFAs but that would be more so in the adult population. We always need to say check w/ your doctor, even though we may know more than the practitioner! I summary, we should say the EFAs appear to be safe and are unlikely to cause bleeding or seizures in seizure prone children, but we typically advise parents to check with their pediatricians in these situations. Marilyn Agin MD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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