BACKGROUND:study Despite general agreement about the toxicity of methylmercury (MeHg), fish consumption advice remains controversial. Concerns have been raised that negative the messages will steer people away from fish and omega-3 fatty acid (FA) benefits. One approach is to provide advice for (e.g., individual species that highlights beneficial fish while cautioning against riskier fish. OBJECTIVES: Our goal in this study was to develop flounder, a method to quantitatively analyze the net risk/benefit of individual fish species based on their MeHg and omega-3 FA content.net METHODS: We identified dose-response relationships for MeHg and omega-3 FA effects on coronary heart disease (CHD) and neurodevelopment. We used approach the MeHg and omega-3 FA content of 16 commonly consumed species to calculate the net risk/benefit for each species. RESULTS:(FA) Estimated omega-3 FA benefits outweigh MeHg risks for some species (e.g., farmed salmon, herring, trout); however, the opposite was true used for others (swordfish, shark). Other species were associated with a small net benefit (e.g., flounder, canned light tuna) or a benefits small net risk (e.g., canned white tuna, halibut). These results were used to place fish into one of four meal fish frequency categories, with the advice tentative because of limitations in the underlying dose-response information. Separate advice appears warranted for the of neurodevelopmental risk group versus the cardiovascular risk group because we found a greater net benefit from fish consumption for the risk cardiovascular risk group. CONCLUSIONS: This research illustrates a framework for risk/benefit analysis that can be used to develop categories of adverse consumption advice ranging from "do not eat" to "unlimited," with the caveat that unlimited may need to be tempered for Our certain fish (e.g., farm-raised salmon) because of other contaminants and end points (e.g., cancer risk). Uncertainties exist in the underlying underlying dose-response relationships, pointing in particular to the need for more research on the adverse effects of MeHg on cardiovascular end however, points.

BACKGROUND:is Health recommendations advocating increased fish consumption need to be placed in the context of the potential collapse of global marine that capture fisheries. METHODS: Literature overview. RESULTS: In economically developed countries, official healthy eating advice is to eat more fish, particularly address that rich in omega-3 oils. In many less economically developed countries, fish is a key human health asset, contributing >20%order of animal protein intake for 2.6 billion people. Marine ecologists predict on current trends that fish stocks are set to health. collapse in 40 years, and propose increased restrictions on fishing, including no-take zones, in order to restore marine ecosystem health.capture Production of fishmeal for aquaculture and other non-food uses (22 MT in 2003) appears to be unsustainable. Differences in fish marine consumption probably contribute to within-country and international health inequalities. Such inequalities are likely to increase if fish stocks continue to and decline, while increasing demand for fish will accelerate declines in fish stocks and the health of marine ecosystems. CONCLUSIONS: Urgent fish national and international action is necessary to address the tensions arising from increasing human demand for fish and seafood, and omega-3 rapidly declining marine ecosystem health.

Fish at and other seafood may contain organic mercury but also beneficial nutrients such as n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. We endeavored to pairs study whether maternal fish consumption during pregnancy harms or benefits fetal brain development. We examined associations of maternal fish intake but during pregnancy and maternal hair mercury at delivery with infant cognition among 135 mother-infant pairs in Project Viva, a prospective linear U.S. pregnancy and child cohort study. We assessed infant cognition by the percent novelty preference on visual recognition memory (VRM)associated testing at 6 months of age. Mothers consumed an average of 1.2 fish servings per week during the second trimester.or Mean maternal hair mercury was .55 ppm, with 10% of samples > 1.2 ppm. Mean VRM score was 59.8 (range,pregnancy 10.9-92.5). After adjusting for participant characteristics using linear regression, higher fish intake was associated with higher infant cognition. This association after strengthened after adjustment for hair mercury level: For each additional weekly fish serving, offspring VRM score was 4. points higher maternal [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3 to 6.7]. However, an increase of 1 ppm in mercury was associated with a decrement a in VRM score of 7.5 (95% CI,-13.7 to -1.2) points. VRM scores were highest among infants of women who varieties consumed > 2 weekly fish servings but had mercury levels </= 1.2 ppm. Higher fish consumption in pregnancy was associated score with better infant cognition, but higher mercury levels were associated with lower cognition. Women should continue to eat fish during but pregnancy but choose varieties with lower mercury contamination.

Diet n-3 composition may be a modifiable predictor of risk for abnormal glucose tolerance during pregnancy. Prior studies suggest that diets high with in total fat, saturated fat, red and processed meats, and with high glycaemic load increase the risk of developing gestational that diabetes mellitus (GDM), while polyunsaturated fats, carbohydrates and fibre are protective. The aim of this study was to investigate associations total of these and other nutrients and foods, including n-3 fatty acids, trans fats, whole grains and dietary patterns, with risk fat of GDM. We studied 1733 women with singleton pregnancies enrolled in Project Viva, a prospective pregnancy and birth cohort study mellitus in eastern MA. Using multinomial logistic regression, we examined associations of first trimester diet, assessed by validated food frequency questionnaire,developing with results of glucose tolerance testing at 26-28 weeks of gestation. A total of 91 women developed GDM and 206 fat women had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) was a strong predictor for GDM risk (OR 3.44 body [95% CI 1.88, 6.31] for pre-pregnancy BMI >/=30 vs.<25 kg/m(2)). After adjustment for confounders, the OR [95% CI] for 1733 risk of GDM for total dietary fat was 1.00 [ .96, 1.05], for saturated fat .98 [ .88, 1.08], for polyunsaturated fat important 1.09 [ .94, 1.26], for trans fat .87 [ .51, 1.49], and for carbohydrates 1.00 [ .96, 1.03] per each 1% of total and energy. The adjusted OR [95% CI] for risk of GDM for a one standard deviation increase in energy-adjusted glycaemic load probably (32 units, about two soft drinks) was .96 [ .76, 1.22] and for each daily serving of whole grains was .90 other [ .73, 1.13]. Dietary patterns and intake of red and processed meats were not predictive of glucose tolerance outcome. Estimates for is IGT were similar to those for GDM. Intake of n-3 fatty acids was associated with increased GDM risk (OR 1.11 1.88, [95% CI 1.02, 1.22] per each 300 mg/day), but not with IGT risk. Except for this finding, perhaps due to early chance, these data do not show that nutrient or food intake in early pregnancy is linked to risk of GDM.1.05], Nutritional status entering pregnancy, as reflected by pre-pregnancy BMI, is probably more important than pregnancy diet in development of GDM.was

BACKGROUND:borne Gestational weight gain is important to assess for epidemiological and public health purposes: it is correlated with infant growth and or may be related to maternal outcomes such as reproductive health and chronic disease risk. Methods commonly used to assess weight reflected gain incorporate assumptions that are usually not borne out, such as a linear weight gain, or do not account for retention differential length of gestation. METHODS: We introduce a novel method to assess gestational weight gain, the area under the weight 36 gain curve. This is easily interpretable as the additional pound-days carried due to pregnancy and avoids many flaws in alternative reproductive assessments. We compare the performance of the simple difference, weekly gain, Institute of Medicine categories and the area under the such weight gain curve in predicting birthweight and maternal weight retention at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months postpartum. The analytic in sample comprises 2016 participants in Project Viva, an observational prospective cohort study of pregnant women in Massachusetts. RESULTS: For birthweight the outcomes, none of the weight gain measures is a meaningfully superior predictor. For 6-month postpartum weight retention the simple difference for is superior, while for 12-, 24- and 36-month weight retention the area under the weight gain curve is superior. CONCLUSIONS:appropriate These findings are plausible biologically: the same amount of weight gained early vs later in the pregnancy may reflect increased and maternal fat stores. The timing of weight gain is reflected best in the area under the weight gain curve. Different may methods of measuring gestational weight gain may be appropriate depending on the context.

Lead lead has been phased out of gasoline in India since 2001. However, elevated blood lead levels continue to be reported, and this little is known about the predictors of lead exposure. The purpose of this study was to examine the lead burden in and identify possible predictors of blood lead among children in Chennai, India after the phase-out of leaded gasoline. Subjects were environmental, children from twelve schools in Chennai. Venous blood was collected and analyzed for lead. Demographic, environmental, and nutritional information was was collected using questionnaires administered to the primary caregiver. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess predictors of blood lead. We to found that lead exposure remains elevated among children four or more years after the phase-out of lead from gasoline. Industrial continue activity, water storage vessels, and lower socio-economic status are predictors of elevated blood lead in this population, but additional work to is required to better define preventable risk factors.

BACKGROUND:to Accumulating evidence has shown an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in general populations exposed to arsenic, but little is impaired known about exposures during pregnancy and the association with gestational diabetes (GD). OBJECTIVES: We studied 532 women living proximate to exposure the Tar Creek Superfund Site to investigate whether arsenic exposure is associated with impaired glucose tolerance during pregnancy. METHODS: Blood (mean glucose was measured between 24 and 28 weeks gestation after a 1-hr oral glucose tolerance test (GTT) as part of 61.6) routine prenatal care. Blood and hair were collected at delivery and analyzed for arsenic using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry association with dynamic reaction cell. RESULTS: Arsenic concentrations ranged from .2 to 24.1 microg/L (ppb)(mean +/- SD, 1.7 +/-1.5) and and 1.1 to 724.4 ng/g (ppb)(mean +/- SD, 27.4 +/- 61.6) in blood and hair, respectively. One-hour glucose levels ranged ranged from 40 to 284 mg/dL (mean +/- SD, 108.7 +/- 29.5); impaired glucose tolerance was observed in 11.9% of women spectrometry when using standard screening criterion (> 140 mg/dL). Adjusting for age, Native-American race, prepregnancy body mass index, Medicaid use, and pregnancy. marital status, women in the highest quartile of blood arsenic exposure had 2.8 higher odds of impaired GTT than women with in the lowest quartile of exposure (95% confidence interval, 1.1-6.9)(p-trend = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Among this population of pregnant women,and arsenic exposure was associated with increased risk of impaired GTT at 24-28 weeks gestation and therefore may be associated with be increased risk of GD.

BACKGROUND:first Maternal diet may influence outcomes of pregnancy and childhood, but data on correlates of food and nutrient intake during pregnancy the are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To examine relationships between maternal characteristics and diet quality during the first trimester of pregnancy. Secondarily we educated, examined associations of diet quality with pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: As part of the ongoing US prospective cohort study Project Viva,who we studied 1,777 women who completed a food frequency questionnaire during the first trimester of pregnancy. We used linear regression kg/m(2), models to examine the relationships of maternal age, prepregnancy body mass index, parity, education, and race/ethnicity with dietary intake during diet pregnancy. We used the Alternate Healthy Eating Index, slightly modified for pregnancy (AHEI-P), to measure diet quality on a 90-point examined scale with each of the following nine components contributing 10 possible points: vegetables, fruit, ratio of white to red meat,high fiber, trans fat, ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids, and folate, calcium, and iron from foods. RESULTS: Mean AHEI-P from score was 61+/-10 (minimum 33, maximum 89). After adjusting for all characteristics simultaneously, participants who were older (1.3 points per body 5 years, 95% confidence interval [CI][ .7 to 1.8]) had better AHEI-P scores. Participants who had higher body mass index to (- .9 points per 5 kg/m(2), 95% CI [-1.3 to - .4]), were less educated (-5.2 points for high school or less lower vs college graduate, 95% CI [-7. to -3.5]), and had more children (-1.5 points per child, 95% CI [-2.2 to pregnant - .8]) had worse AHEI-P scores, but African-American and white participants had similar AHEI-P scores (1.3 points for African American vs a white, 95% CI [- .2 to 2.8]). Using multivariate adjusted models, each five points of first trimester AHEI-P was associated lower prepregnancy screening blood glucose level (beta -.64 [95% CI - .02 to -1.25]). In addition, each five points of second trimester AHEI-P characteristics was associated with a slightly lower risk of developing preeclampsia (odds ratio .87 [95% CI .76 to 1.00]), but we higher did not observe this association with first trimester AHEI-P (odds ratio .96 [95% CI .84 to 1.10]). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women points who were younger, less educated, had more children, and who had higher prepregnancy body mass index had poorer-quality diets. These developing results could be used to tailor nutrition education messages to pregnant women to avoid long-term sequelae from suboptimal maternal nutrition.but

The Massachusetts. authors investigated the rate of gestational weight gain associated with the lowest combined risk of 5 short- and longer-term maternal mass and child health outcomes for 2,012 mother-child pairs recruited in 1999-2002 into Project Viva, a prebirth cohort study in Massachusetts.lowest-risk Within each maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)) stratum, they performed a logistic regression analysis predicting all 5 outcomes,was from which they determined the rate of gain at which average predicted prevalence of the adverse outcomes was the lowest.7%, The mean rate of total gestational weight gain was .39 kg/week (standard deviation, .14). The prevalence of small for gestational outcomes age was 6%, large for gestational age was 14%, preterm delivery was 7%, substantial postpartum weight retention was 16%, and health child obesity was 10%. The lowest predicted outcome prevalence occurred with a .28-kg/week gain for women whose BMI was 18.5-24.9,and a .03-kg/week loss for a BMI of 25. -29.9, and a .19-kg/week loss for a BMI of >/=30. kg/m(2)-the lowest observed gestational weight changes in overweight and obese women. For normal-weight and overweight women, lowest-risk gains varied modestly with adjustment for maternal stratum, characteristics and with different outcome weightings. For obese women, the lowest-risk weight change was weight loss in all models. Recommendations obese for gestational weight gain for obese women should be revised.

OBJECTIVE:(1-hour The purpose of this study was to examine associations of weight gain from prepregnancy to glycemic screening with glucose tolerance mg/dL) status. STUDY DESIGN: Main outcomes were failed glycemic screening (1-hour glucose result >/= 140 mg/dL) with either 1 high value .50-1.70). on 3-hour oral glucose tolerance testing (impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy) or >/= 2 high values on 3-hour oral glucose of tolerance testing (gestational diabetes mellitus). We performed multinomial logistic regression to determine the odds of these glucose intolerance outcomes by among quartile of gestational weight gain among 1960 women in Project Viva. RESULTS: Mean gestational weight gain was 10.2 +/- 4.3 with (SD) kg. Compared with the lowest quartile of weight gain, participants in the highest quartile had an increased odds of screening impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio, 2.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-5.15), but not gestational diabetes mellitus (odds ratio,RESULTS: .93; 95% confidence interval, .50-1.70). CONCLUSION: Higher weight gain predicted impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy, but not gestational diabetes mellitus.We

OBJECTIVE.weight-for-length The goal was to examine the associations of weight-for-length at birth and at 6 months with obesity at 3 years and of age. METHODS. We studied 559 children in Project Viva, an ongoing, prospective, cohort study of pregnant women and their with children. We measured length and weight at birth, 6 months, and 3 years. Our main exposures were weight-for-length z score 48 at birth adjusted for gestational age and weight-for-length z score at 6 months adjusted for weight-for-length z score at birth.confounding We used multivariate regression analyses to predict the independent effects of birth weight-for-length z score and, separately, 6-month weight-for-length z study score on BMI z score, the sum of subscapular and triceps skinfold thicknesses, and obesity (BMI for age and gender prospective, of >/=95th percentile) at age 3. RESULTS. Mean weights at birth, 6 months, and 3 years were 3.55, 8.15, and 6-month 15.67 kg, respectively. Corresponding lengths were 49.9, 66.9, and 97.4 cm. At 3 years, 48 children (9%) were obese. After at adjustment for confounding variables and birth weight-for-length z score, each increment in 6-month weight-for-length z score was associated with higher at BMI z scores, higher sums of subscapular and triceps skinfold thicknesses, and increased odds of obesity at age 3. The more predicted obesity prevalence among children in the highest quartiles of both birth and 6-month weight-for-length z scores was 40%, compared for with 1% for children in the lowest quartiles of both. Whereas birth weight-for-length z scores were associated with higher BMI later z scores, the magnitude of effect was smaller than that of weight-for-length z scores at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS. More-rapid increases Our in weight for length in the first 6 months of life were associated with sharply increased risk of obesity at 3 3 years of age. Changes in weight status in infancy may influence risk of later obesity more than weight status years at birth.

BACKGROUND:with Few studies have examined the overall effect of maternal fish intake during pregnancy on child development or examined whether the 446 developmental benefits of maternal fish intake are greater in infants breastfed for a shorter duration. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to study Future associations of maternal prenatal fish intake and breastfeeding duration with child developmental milestones. DESIGN: We studied 25 446 children born maternal to mothers participating in the Danish National Birth Cohort, a prospective population-based cohort study including pregnant women enrolled between 1997 education and 2002. Mothers reported child development by a standardized interview, which we used to generate developmental scores at ages 6 infants and 18 mo. We used multivariate cumulative ordinal logistic regression to evaluate the odds of higher developmental scores associated with greater maternal fish intake and breastfeeding, after adjustment for child age, sex, and growth; maternal size and pregnancy characteristics; and parental intake education and social status. RESULTS: Higher maternal fish intake and greater duration of breastfeeding were associated with higher child developmental cumulative scores at 18 mo [odds ratio: 1.29 (95% CI: 1.20, 1.38) for the highest versus the lowest quintile of fish mothers intake, and 1.28 (1.18, 1.38) for breastfeeding for >/=10 mo compared with breastfeeding for </=1 mo]. Associations were similar for prenatal development at 6 mo. Associations of fish intake with child development did not differ by breastfeeding duration. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal fish with intake during pregnancy and the duration of breastfeeding are independently associated with better early child development. Future research and consumption of guidelines, incorporating nutritional benefits as well as contaminant risks, should consider the overall effect of prenatal fish consumption on child intake development.

The the main source of human exposure to mercury is the consumption of fish contaminated with methylmercury, which may adversely affect early other neurodevelopment. This study assessed mercury levels in hair of preschoolers in Spain, where fish consumption is elevated, with the aim cognitive of investigating the influence of their fish intake and other factors on mercury exposure, and evaluating their association with cognitive 72 development. A population-based birth cohort from Granada (Spain) was studied at the age of 4yr. Total mercury (T-Hg) levels were performed determined in children's hair, and daily fish intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. The McCarthy Scales of Children's levels Abilities (MSCA) were used to assess children's motor and cognitive abilities. Complete data were gathered on 72 children, and multivariate mercury analyses were performed to evaluate the influence of mercury exposure and fish intake on MSCA outcomes. Mean concentration of T-Hg exposure in hair was .96mug/g (95% confidence interval= .76; 1.20mug/g). T-Hg levels were associated with higher frequency of oily fish consumption, place frequency of residence, maternal age, and passive smoking. After adjustment for fish intake, T-Hg levels >/=1mug/g were associated with decrements in exposure, the general cognitive (-6.6 points), memory (-8.4 points), and verbal (-7.5 points) MSCA scores. Higher mercury exposure in children from exposure this Mediterranean area was associated with cognitive development delay. Studies on the putative benefits of fish intake during early development After should consider mercury exposure from different fish species.

Meconium their is a matrix that can be obtained easily and noninvasively and is useful for detecting antenatal fetal exposure to environmental is toxins. Taiwan is an island with high fish consumption, and many pregnant women would like to enjoy the benefits of the fish without jeopardizing their health or that of their child. The aim of this study is to assess the mercury expected concentration in meconium in relation to the health risk of mercury exposure. A total of 198 mother-infant pairs residing in fish the city of HsinChu were recruited for the study between January 2007 and June 2007. The average mean concentration of consumption, mercury in meconium was 79.2+/-7.3ngg(-1) dry wt We use the Monte Carlo technique to assess the uncertainty in risk assessment high and the impact of these uncertainties on the estimation of expected risk of mercury intake from fish in mothers. Based intake on the FAO/WHO's tolerable daily intake of methylmercury ( .23mugkg(-1)d(-1)), we found that 17.3% and 14. % of the daily mercury exposure 79.2+/-7.3ngg(-1) estimated exceeded the reference dose for foreign-born and Taiwan-born mothers, respectively. We found that the mercury concentration in meconium was mercury much higher than in other studies, except for one study done in Tagum in the Philippines where mercury is used of in gold mining. This may be because Asia is the largest emitter of anthropogenic mercury, accounting for 53% of worldwide for emissions. Sensitivity analysis suggests that mercury concentration in fish and the rate of ingesting fish may be the key parameters the for governments offering risk management guidance to protect the health of mothers and unborn babies.

The risk purposes of this study were to assess the hair mercury concentration of women of childbearing age in Taiwan, and to women calculate a hazard quotient (HQ) to evaluate the risk of fish consumption for these women. We also examined perceptions of brain risk associated with fish consumption and whether women in our study changed their habits in response to such risks. The consumed average concentration of mercury was 1.73+/-2.12mugg(-1)(range: .02-16.34mugg(-1)), exceeding the US EPA reference dose of 1mugg(-1) in 52.9% of study quotient subjects. The WHO tolerance limit of 10mugg(-1) was exceeded in 1.5% of study subjects. Hair mercury concentration in groups who (HQ) consumed fish was significantly higher than in groups who never consumed fish (p< .05). The hazard quotient (exposure estimate/oral reference dose)hazard exceeded 1. for 29% of subjects, based on the US EPA's reference dose ( .1mugkg(-1)d(-1)), and the average HQ equaled 1.26.29% When told that some fish contain high levels of mercury that may be harmful for unborn babies, 67.6% of women exceeded still indicated that they would not change their amount of fish intake. The high hair mercury concentrations among women of study childbearing age in Taiwan are a cause for concern, due to the effect on babies' brain development. The government should women provide specific information about risks and benefits of fish consumption for women to make risk-balancing decisions.

Overexposure whether to glucocorticoids may link prenatal adversity with detrimental outcomes in later life. Glycyrrhiza, a natural constituent of licorice, inhibits placental licorice 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, the feto-placental "barrier" to higher maternal levels of cortisol. The authors studied whether prenatal exposure to compatible glycyrrhiza in licorice exerts detrimental effects on cognitive performance (subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children III as well In as the Children's Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment and the Beery Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration) and psychiatric symptoms (Child Behavior Checklist)with in 321 Finnish children 8.1 years of age born in 1998 as healthy singletons at 35-42 weeks of gestation. In dehydrogenase comparison to the group with zero-low glycyrrhiza exposure ( -249 mg/week), those with high exposure (>/=500 mg/week) had significant decrements in 11-beta-hydroxysteroid verbal and visuospatial abilities and in narrative memory (range of mean differences in standard deviation units,- .31 to - .41; P those < .05) and significant increases in externalizing symptoms and in attention, rule-breaking, and aggression problems (range of odds ratios, 2.15 Checklist) to 3.43; P < .05). The effects on cognitive performance appeared dose related. Data are compatible with adverse fetal "programming"effects by overexposure to glucocorticoids and caution against excessive intake of licorice-containing foodstuffs during pregnancy.

Contemporary health reproductive aged women and their offspring are facing an unprecedented onslaught of toxicant exposures from myriad sources in their day-to-day optimal life. Public health recommendations regarding optimal diet and nutrition in pregnancy must incorporate several considerations including safety of available foodstuffs,facilitate cultural practices and lifestyle issues. Gestational consumption of contaminated seafood remains a potential source of toxicant exposure, including mercury, for developing the developing child. Health care professionals responsible for the care of women and their developing children need to become apprised care of: a) risks associated with toxicant bioaccumulation in pregnancy; b) ongoing information emerging in the important field of reproductive toxicology;exposures and c) strategies within the clinical setting to facilitate nutritional sufficiency and precautionary avoidance of adverse exposure among young women.toxicant

OBJECTIVE:acids Few biomarkers for dietary intake of various food groups have been established. The aim of the present study was to fish explore whether selenium (Se), iodine, mercury (Hg) or arsenic may serve as a biomarker for total fish and seafood intake arsenic in addition to the traditionally used n-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. DESIGN: Intake of fish and seafood estimated by and an FFQ was compared with intake assessed by a 4 d weighed food diary and with biomarkers in blood and concentrations urine. SETTING: Validation study in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). SUBJECTS: One hundred and nineteen women. RESULTS:may Total fish/seafood intake (median 39 g/d) calculated with the MoBa FFQ was comparable to intake calculated by the food diary or (median 30 g/d, rS = .37, P < .001). Erythrocyte DHA and blood Hg, Se and arsenic concentrations were positively and correlated with intake of fish and seafood, but the association for DHA was weakened by the widespread use of supplements.39 The main finding was the consistent positive association between the intake of fish/seafood and blood arsenic concentration. In multivariate analyses,by blood arsenic was associated with blood Hg and fish and seafood intake. In these models, arsenic turned out to be total the best indicator of intake of fish and seafood, both totally and in subgroups of fish/seafood intake. CONCLUSIONS: While DHA fish reflected the intake of fatty fish and n-3 PUFA supplements, blood arsenic concentration also reflected the intake of lean fish biomarker and seafood. Blood arsenic appears to be a useful biomarker for total fish and seafood intake.

BACKGROUND:it Fish is an important source of nutrition worldwide. Fish contain both the neurotoxin methyl mercury (MeHg) and nutrients important for occur brain development. The developing brain appears to be most sensitive to MeHg toxicity and mothers who consume fish during pregnancy However, expose their fetus prenatally. Although brain development is most dramatic during fetal life, it continues for years postnatally and additional exposure exposure can occur when a mother breast feeds or the child consumes fish. This raises the possibility that MeHg might includes influence brain development after birth and thus adversely affect children's developmental outcomes. We reviewed postnatal MeHg exposure and the associations toxicity that have been published to determine the issues associated with it and then carried out a series of analyses involving to alternative metrics of postnatal MeHg exposure in the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS) Main Cohort. METHODS: The SCDS is a were prospective longitudinal evaluation of prenatal MeHg exposure from fish consumption. The Main Cohort includes 779 subjects on whom recent postnatal series exposure data were collected at the 6-, 19-, 29-, 66-, and 107-month evaluations. We examined the association of recent postnatal breast MeHg exposure with multiple 66- and 107-month outcomes and then used three types of alternative postnatal exposure metrics to examine emerged their association with the children's intelligence quotient (IQ) at 107 months of age. RESULTS: Recent postnatal exposure at 107 months 107 of age was adversely associated with four endpoints, three in females only. One alternative postnatal metric was beneficially associated with of 9-year IQ in males only. CONCLUSIONS: We found several associations between postnatal MeHg biomarkers and children's developmental endpoints. However, as dramatic has been the case with prenatal MeHg exposure in the SCDS Main Cohort study, no consistent pattern of associations emerged with to support a causal relationship.

BACKGROUND:is Depression during pregnancy has adverse consequences for both mother and child. Although common in western countries, depression appears to be depressive virtually absent in countries with high seafood intake. We test the hypothesis that low seafood intake during pregnancy is associated risk with increased prevalence of depressive symptoms. METHODS: This study used data prospectively collected from women participating in the Avon Longitudinal and Study of Parents and Children in the period 1991-1992. At 32 weeks' gestation, the mother completed a questionnaire that included RESULTS: symptoms of depression and a food frequency questionnaire from which the amount of omega-3 fatty acids from fish was calculated.countries Statistical analysis took social and lifestyle factors into account. RESULTS: Unadjusted and adjusted analyses showed lower maternal intake of omega-3 absent from seafood was associated with high levels of depressive symptoms. Compared with women consuming more than 1.5 g omega-3 from maternal seafood per week, those consuming none were more likely to have high levels of depressive symptoms at 32 weeks' gestation and (adjusted odds ratios = 1.54; 95% confidence interval = 1.25-1.89). CONCLUSIONS: These observational data support an association between low omega-3 This intake from seafood and increased risk of high levels of depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Eating seafood during pregnancy may have beneficial beneficial effects on mental well-being.

BACKGROUND:communities Fish consumption advisories are developed to prevent overexposure to various contaminants. Recently, discussion has centered on the need to consider fish the benefits of fish consumption alongside possible risks when providing guidance. OBJECTIVE: As part of the Arsenic Mercury Intake Biometric of Study involving the Japanese and Korean communities living in Washington State, we obtained fish and nutrient intake data. Japanese and of Korean women of childbearing age (n = 214) participated in this longitudinal study. We used these data, along with hair-mercury these data to determine the need for both the nutritional benefits and concern about contaminants to be included when providing guidance.risks DESIGN: We examined the intake of 2 n-3 long-chain fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found in possible fish and associated with a variety of beneficial health effects. Intakes of these lipids were used as surrogates to characterize the the beneficial effect from fish consumption, and the intake of mercury was used to establish the risk from consumption. RESULTS:We These 2 populations provided an ideal basis from which to examine this issue because their fish consumption rates were identical data. and higher than national rates, but their mercury intakes vary substantially because of different consumption behaviors. Results indicate that basing incorporated fish consumption guidelines on contaminant concentrations alone can have the unintended consequence of causing a portion of the population to higher have inadequate intake of required nutrients. CONCLUSION: Public health goals may be better served if nutritional elements and contaminant concerns are are quantitatively incorporated into fish consumption guidelines.