Seafood During Pregnancy and Lactation and Child Neurocognitive Development: A Systematic Review
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Assessing seafood as a food group, rather than as a source of omega-3 fatty acids or contaminants, may better inform dietary guidance for pregnancy and lactation.
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess relationships between seafood consumption during pregnancy and lactation and neurocognitive development in the child.
METHODS: Three electronic databases were searched up to September 2024 to update a previous search from 2000 to 2019. Articles were included if seafood intake during pregnancy or lactation and a child outcome was assessed [neurocognitive development including cognitive, social-emotional, behavioral, movement/physical, language/communication, and aggregate scores as well as depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD)]. Articles were screened at title, abstract, and full-text levels independently by 2 analysts. Data were extracted, quality checked, and synthesized narratively considering the direction, magnitude, and statistical significance of results. The risk of bias was assessed using study design-specific tools. Certainty of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluations.
RESULTS: Forty articles [1 randomized controlled trial (RCT), 24 prospective cohorts, and 1 retrospective cohort] during pregnancy were identified; none for lactation. Evidence suggested relationships between higher seafood consumption and better social-emotional and…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
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