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A new study links low consumption of fish early in pregnancy to
higher odds of preterm delivery and low birth weight-suggesting
that the omega-3 fats in fish and fish oil supplements might help
prevent these complications.
Together with past research suggesting fish oil may lower the risk
of premature delivery, these findings lay the groundwork for clinical
trials on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy.
Their study of nearly 9000 pregnant women in Denmark found that
those who said they currently ate no fish were around three times
more likely than those who ate the most to have a premature delivery.
Overall, women who ate some fish were less likely than those who
did not to deliver prematurely, and their babies tended to weigh
more. For instance, the rate of premature birth among women who
ate no fish was about 7%, compared with roughly 2% for women who
had fish at least once a week.
Indeed, some fish are considered risky
during pregnancy.
In the US, the Food and Drug Administration advises pregnant women
to avoid eating
- shark,
- swordfish,
- king mackerel and
- tilefish
because they may contain high levels of mercury, which can potentially
harm the developing fetal nervous system.
According to the researchers, their results suggest that for women
who eat little or no fish, small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids
-- through either fish or fish oil supplements -- might help reduce
the odds of premature delivery or low birth weight.
British
Medical Journal February 23, 2002;324:447-450
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