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Pregnant woman's contact with mercury is dangerous for the baby
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Mercury is one of the most dangerous chemical elements. It has detrimental effects on the developing fetus, in particular, it can cause speech disorders, brain damage, blindness, and mental retardation. Previously, scientists' studies proved the danger of pregnant women consuming fish that could be contaminated with mercury and increase the risk of the child developing abnormalities. However, recently, specialists from Boston University refuted this information.
A team of scientists led by Professor Sharon Sagiv conducted a study of children in New Bedford. This gave them grounds to assume that mother's exposure to mercury during the prenatal period increases the risk of developing behavioral disorders associated with ADHD, hyperactivity, and attention deficit. And eating fish can reduce this risk. The results of the study by experts are presented in the online journal Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescence Medicine.
Apart from professional activities where a person has direct contact with methylmercury, the main source of mercury is fish, so pregnant women are not recommended to eat fish products often. However, at the same time, fish is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for brain function.
The study found a protective association when mothers consumed more than two servings of fish daily. “Overall, our findings suggest that mercury exposure during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of ADHD-like behaviors, while fish consumption is associated with a lower risk of ADHD-like behaviors,” the researchers comment.
According to scientists, it is impossible to give clear recommendations regarding the diet of pregnant women at the moment, because additional information is needed on this issue, but it is very important to get to the bottom of the truth, because such a discovery can completely change the views and opinions on the nutrition of pregnant women.
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