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Study ties eating fish in pregnancy to smart kids

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published February 17, 2007

LONDON - Women who eat seafood while pregnant may be boosting their children's IQ, according to research published Friday in the Lancet.

The results of the study contradict American and British recommendations that pregnant women should limit seafood and fish consumption to avoid potentially high levels of mercury. The study relied on mothers' observations of their children's development and their reports of their food intake while pregnant.

Mercury is found in small concentrations in fish and seafood and can accumulate in the body. High amounts of the metal can damage the human nervous system, particularly those in developing fetuses. But fish is also a major source of omega-3 fatty acids, essential to brain development.

While experts say further research is needed to confirm the conclusions, the study's failure to find evidence of increased harm from eating fish is significant. Because seafood contains both nutrients and toxins, recommendations for pregnant women pose a problem for authorities.

The study, led by Dr. Joseph Hibbeln of the United States' National Institutes of Health, tracked the eating habits of 11,875 pregnant women in Bristol, Britain, and their children's developmental skills. As with any study based on self-reporting, the results cannot be considered definitive.

The study was primarily funded by Britain's Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, the University of Bristol and the British government.

[Last modified February 17, 2007, 01:58:58]