A new study suggests that eating fish during pregnancy could reduce the risk of a child being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by 20%. However, taking fish oil supplements did not have the same effect.
“This study adds to the growing evidence supporting the safety and benefits of regular fish consumption during pregnancy,” said Dr. Emily Oken, co-author of the study and professor at Harvard Medical School. “Other benefits include a lower risk of preterm birth and improved cognitive development.”
Health experts recommend that pregnant women consume 8 to 12 ounces of low-mercury seafood per week to support fetal brain development. Despite these guidelines, the study, led by researchers from Drexel University’s A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, found that about 25% of pregnant women didn’t eat any fish.
The study analyzed data from 10,800 pregnant women regarding their fish intake and 12,646 women who took fish oil supplements, looking for links to autism diagnoses and autism-related traits. The results showed that 65% to 85% of the participants did not take fish oil or omega-3 supplements.
Omega-3 fatty acids, essential for heart, brain, and eye function, are found in fish, walnuts, flax seeds, and leafy greens, but the body cannot produce them naturally. Interestingly, the study found that fish consumption during pregnancy was more strongly associated with a reduced autism risk in female children.
The researchers noted that omega-3 supplements did not show any association with autism diagnoses or related traits. Autism is a complex developmental disorder affecting behavior, communication, and social interaction, and its causes are not yet fully understood.
The findings, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, acknowledge some limitations, including the inability to specify which types of fish were eaten, the timing of consumption, or the omega-3 content of supplements. The researchers are urging clearer public guidance on the importance of eating fish during pregnancy.