Fish Consumption in Pregnancy and Fetal Risks of Methylmercury Toxicity

Overview

Journal Can Fam Physician

Specialties General Medicine
Public Health

Date 2010 Oct 15

PMID 20944040

Citations 7

Authors

Gideon Koren

John R Bend

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Question: Because I practise in a rural area with a large number of lakes, I have patients planning pregnancy who consume relatively large amounts of fish harvested by their families. What should be my advice to them?

Answer: A recent Motherisk study has shown that fairly commonly these women's mercury levels exceed the threshold level for cognitive effects. Women should not consume excessive amounts of seafood in pregnancy (ie, no more than 2 weekly average size servings). Hair mercury level above 0.3 μg/g indicates a potentially excessive body burden.

Citing Articles

Effect of methylmercury on fetal neurobehavioral development: an overview of the possible mechanisms of toxicity and the neuroprotective effect of phytochemicals.

Bjorklund G, Antonyak H, Polishchuk A, Semenova Y, Lesiv M, Lysiuk R Arch Toxicol. 2022; 96(12):3175-3199.

PMID: 36063174 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03366-3.

Managing mercury exposure in northern Canadian communities.

Pirkle C, Muckle G, Lemire M CMAJ. 2016; 188(14):1015-1023.

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Preconception counseling for preventable risks.

Chandranipapongse W, Koren G Can Fam Physician. 2013; 59(7):737-9.

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Maternal exposure to mercury chloride during pregnancy and lactation affects the immunity and social behavior of offspring.

Zhang Y, Bolivar V, Lawrence D Toxicol Sci. 2013; 133(1):101-11.

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The plausibility of a role for mercury in the etiology of autism: a cellular perspective.

Garrecht M, Austin D Toxicol Environ Chem. 2011; 93(5-6):1251-1273.

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