PCRM: Fish Consumption Linked to Preterm Delivery

A new study links fish consumption among pregnant women to an increased risk of premature birth. The Pregnancy Outcomes and Community Health Study, conducted by researchers at Harvard and Michigan State Universities, enrolled over 1,000 women in their 15th to 27th week of pregnancy from 52 prenatal clinics. Biologic and psychosocial factors related to preterm delivery were analyzed, including maternal mercury levels in hair. Strong evidence showed that mercury levels in maternal hair were higher when fish consumption was increased. Women who delivered preterm (before 35 weeks) were three times as likely to have had hair mercury levels at or above the 90th percentile compared with those who delivered at term (after 37 weeks).

Xue F, Holzman C, Rahbar MH, Trosko K, Fischer L. Maternal Fish Consumption, Mercury Levels and Risk of Preterm Delivery. Environ Health Perspect [serial online]. Sept. 25, 2006. Available at: http://www.ehponline.org/. Accessed Oct. 12, 2006.


Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
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Source: Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Author: PCRM

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