The study of pregnant women’s fish consumption found no link to autism or autistic traits in their children.
Scientists at the University of Bristol investigated whether mercury exposure during pregnancy is a major cause of autism, using evidence from nearly 4,500 women who took part in the Children of the 90s study, one of the largest longitudinal studies to date.
Using analysis of blood samples, reported fish consumption and information on autism and autistic traits, researchers found no links between levels of mercury in the mothers and autism or autistic traits in their children.
The only adverse effect of mercury found was poor social cognition if mothers ate no fish at all, especially for girls.
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