A new study has found that eating fish during pregnancy is linked to a lower likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children.
The research shows that women who ate any amount of fish while pregnant had about a 20% lower chance of having a child diagnosed with autism, especially in daughters.
The study also found a slight reduction in autism-related traits in the children of women who ate fish. However, the same effect was not seen with omega-3 supplements.
Fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for both the mother’s health and the baby’s brain development during pregnancy.
Despite this, many pregnant women in the U.S. do not eat much fish, and even fewer take omega-3 supplements.
In the study, about 25% of pregnant participants said they never ate fish or ate it less than once a month, and only a small number reported using omega-3 fish oil supplements.
Researchers from the ECHO Cohort study wanted to explore whether low fish intake or omega-3 supplement use during pregnancy could be linked to autism or autism-related traits in children.
“Our study adds to growing evidence that prenatal diet can impact autism-related outcomes in children,” said Dr. Emily Oken, one of the study’s lead researchers from Harvard Medical School.
She emphasized the importance of public health messaging to encourage pregnant women to consume more fish, given the low fish intake in the U.S. and the rising number of autism diagnoses.
The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, analyzed data from about 4,000 participants.
The researchers categorized the women’s fish consumption during pregnancy into four groups: less than once a month, more than once a month but less than weekly, weekly, and two or more servings per week. They also collected information on omega-3 supplement use and later compared this data with the children’s autism diagnoses and autism-related traits, measured through a parent survey called the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS).
The results showed that eating any amount of fish during pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of autism diagnosis and a slight decrease in autism-related traits. This benefit was seen at all levels of fish consumption, from small amounts to more than two servings per week. In contrast, there was no link between taking omega-3 supplements and a reduced autism risk.
Experts recommend that pregnant women increase their intake of omega-3 fatty acids, especially through fish, which is known to support fetal brain development. “This study provides more evidence of the benefits and safety of regular fish consumption during pregnancy,” said Dr. Oken. “Other benefits include a lower risk of preterm birth and better cognitive development in children.”
The study highlights the importance of including fish in a healthy prenatal diet, as omega-3 supplements alone may not provide the same benefits.
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