Prenatal consumption of fish could scale back autism danger in kids, however omega-3 dietary supplements could not have the identical impact, a latest examine revealed.
Together with fish within the food regimen throughout being pregnant is linked to a 20% discount within the danger of autism spectrum dysfunction and a decreased danger of autism-related traits in kids, with notably notable advantages for feminine offspring, based on the examine revealed within the American Journal Of Medical Vitamin.
“Our examine contributes to a rising physique of proof that demonstrates the function that prenatal food regimen can play in autism-related outcomes in offspring,” mentioned the researcher Dr. Emily Oken in a information launch.
To grasp how consumption of fish and omega-3 dietary supplements throughout being pregnant impacts neurodevelopmental outcomes, researchers evaluated the dietary data of round 4,000 contributors. Primarily based on the frequency of fish consumption, the contributors have been grouped into 4: lower than as soon as a month, greater than as soon as a month however lower than weekly, weekly, and two or extra servings per week.
Round 25% of them by no means ate fish or consumed it lower than as soon as a month, and a lot of the contributors by no means took omega-3 fish oil dietary supplements throughout their being pregnant.
The researchers then examined the incidence of autism diagnoses in kids and parent-reported autism-related traits, which have been measured utilizing the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), a extensively used survey accomplished by mother and father or caregivers.
“Consuming fish throughout being pregnant was related to a decrease chance of offspring being recognized with autism and a slight lower in whole SRS scores in comparison with not consuming fish. These outcomes have been constant throughout all ranges of fish consumption, from “any” quantity or “lower than as soon as per week” to “greater than twice per week,” the information launch acknowledged.
Nevertheless, the researchers couldn’t discover any important affiliation between omega-3 conception and autism prognosis, or traits.
“This examine gives but extra proof for the security and profit of normal fish consumption throughout being pregnant. Different confirmed advantages embrace decrease danger for preterm start and improved cognitive improvement,” mentioned Dr. Oken.
“Given the low fish consumption in the US normal inhabitants and the rising autism prevalence, these findings recommend the necessity for higher public well being messaging relating to pointers on fish consumption for pregnant people,” the researchers concluded.
