Relationships between seafood consumption during pregnancy and childhood and neurocognitive development: Two systematic reviews
Hibbeln JR, Spiller P, Brenna JT, Jean Golding J, Holub BJ, Harris WS, Kris-Etherton P, Lands B, Connor SL, Myers G, Strain JJ, Crawford MA, Carlson SE (2019) Prostaglandins Leukot Essenti Fatty Acids 151: 14-36. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2019.10.002. Epub 2019 Oct 11.
Web URL: Read this and related abstracts on PubMed here. Free full text of this article is available online
Abstract:
Abundant data are now available to evaluate relationships between seafood consumption in pregnancy and childhood and neurocognitive development.We conducted two systematic reviews utilizing methodologies detailed by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Scientific Advisory Committee 2020-2025. After reviewing 44 publications on 106,237 mother-offspring pairs and 25,960 children, our technical expert committee developed two conclusion statements that included the following:
"Moderate and consistent evidence indicates that consumption of a wide range of amounts and types of commercially available seafood during pregnancy is associated with improved neurocognitive development of offspring as compared to eating no seafood. Overall, benefits to neurocognitive development began at the lowest amounts of seafood consumed (∼4 oz/wk) and continued through the highest amounts, above 12 oz/wk, some range up to >100 oz/wk.",
"This evidence does not meet the criteria for "strong evidence" only due to a paucity of randomized controlled trials that may not be ethical or feasible to conduct for pregnancy" and
"Moderate and consistent evidence indicates that consumption of >4 oz/wk and likely >12 oz/wk of seafood during childhood has beneficial associations with neurocognitive outcomes."
No net adverse neurocognitive outcomes were reported among offspring at the highest ranges of seafood intakes despite associated increases in mercury exposures. Data are insufficient for conclusive statements regarding lactation, optimal amounts, categories or specific species characterized by mercury content and neurocognitive development; although there is some evidence that dark/oily seafood may be more beneficial.
Research was conducted in healthy women and children and is generalizable to US populations. Assessment of seafood as a whole food inherently integrates any adverse effects from neurotoxicants, if any, and benefits to neurocognition from omega-3 fats, as well as other nutrients critical to optimal neurological development.
Understanding of the effects of seafood consumption on neurocognition can have significant public health implications.
FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:
Fish and seafood are a rich source of key nutrients that are biologically essential for optimal brain development including iodine, vitamin B12, iron, vitamin D, zinc, manganese and highly unsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. For the long-chain omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA), fish and seafood are the only natural foods that provide appreciable quantities, and yet adequate supplies (of DHA in particular) are critical for healthy brain development and function.These two new systematic reviews, by leading researchers in the field, show that higher intakes of fish and seafood during pregnancy are linked with significantly better outcomes for children's brain development, behaviour and cognition.
Food and Behaviour Research is a registered charity (No SC034604) and a company limited by guarantee (Co No SC 253448)
Newsletter Signup
Useful Links
Contact Us
FAB Research
23 Carlton Road
Oxford
OX2 7SA
Important Notice
Medical opinion and guidance should always be sought for any symptoms that might possibly reflect a known or suspected disease, disorder or medical condition. Information provided on this website (or by FAB Research via any other means) does not in any way constitute advice on the treatment of any medical condition formally diagnosed or otherwise.
Site by Redstone Websites. Easy to Use Web Content Management. 2023 © All Rights Reserved.