pregnant women should eat more seafood

New Seafood Recommendations for Pregnant Women

Physician's First Watch for October 5, 2007 David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, Editor-in-Chief

The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition has recommended that pregnant, breast-feeding, and postpartum women consume at least 12 ounces of seafood weekly, especially oily ocean fish like salmon and sardines. Six of the twelve ounces may come from albacore tuna.
The coalition, which comprises groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC, says that "recent studies indicate the nutritional benefits of fish consumption during pregnancy greatly outweigh potential risks from trace methyl mercury consumption."

The recommendation contrasts with that previously issued by the FDA and the Environmental Protection Agency. In 2004, these groups advised that women who are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning a pregnancy consume up to 12 ounces of lower-mercury seafood (e.g., shrimp, canned light tuna) weekly, with albacore limited to 6 ounces. They also recommend that such women avoid high-mercury fish (e.g., shark, swordfish).

The FDA plans to review this information but is not ready to change its current stance, reports the Washington Post.

National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition seafood recommendations (Free)
FDA and EPA 2004 seafood recommendations (Free)
Washington Post story (Free)