Low consumption of seafood in early pregnancy as a risk factor for preterm delivery: prospective cohort study
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
OBJECTIVE: To determine the relation between intake of seafood in pregnancy and risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight.
DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.
SETTING: Aarhus, Denmark.
PARTICIPANTS: 8729 pregnant women.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preterm delivery and low birth weight.
RESULTS: The occurrence of preterm delivery differed significantly across four groups of seafood intake, falling progressively from 7.1% in the group never consuming fish to 1.9% in the group consuming fish as a hot meal and an open sandwich with fish at least once a week. Adjusted odds for preterm delivery were increased by a factor of 3.6 (95% confidence interval 1.2 to 11.2) in the zero consumption group compared with the highest consumption group. Analyses based on quantified intakes indicated that the working range of the dose-response relation is mainly from zero intake up to a daily intake of 15 g fish or 0.15 g n-3 fatty acids. Estimates of risk for low birth weight were similar to those for preterm delivery.
CONCLUSIONS: Low consumption of fish was a strong risk factor for preterm delivery and low birth weight. In women with zero or low intake of fish, small amounts of n-3 fatty acids--provided as fish or fish oil--may confer protection against preterm delivery and low birth weight.
Original language | English |
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Journal | BMJ (Clinical research ed.) |
Volume | 324 |
Issue number | 7335 |
Pages (from-to) | 447 |
ISSN | 0959-8146 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2002 |
Externally published | Yes |
- Adult, Birth Weight, Diet/adverse effects, Fatty Acids, Omega-3/administration & dosage, Female, Humans, Infant, Low Birth Weight, Infant, Newborn, Obstetric Labor, Premature/etiology, Odds Ratio, Pregnancy, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Seafood
Research areas
ID: 308039554