Maternal fish consumption during pregnancy was associated with a 16% lower likelihood of autism diagnosis in children, according to a recent study.

A cohort consortium analysis investigated the association between maternal fish consumption and omega-3 (ω-3) supplement use during pregnancy and autism-related outcomes in children. The study included data from over 30 cohorts within the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes Program, analyzing children born between 1999 and 2019. Maternal fish intake and ω-3 supplement use were self-reported, and child outcomes were assessed through parent-reported clinician-diagnosed autism and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS).

The results demonstrated that prenatal fish consumption was associated with reduced odds of autism diagnosis (odds ratio [OR]: 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77-0.92) and a modest reduction in autism-related traits (β: −1.69; 95% CI: −3.3, −0.08). The association was consistent across different levels of fish intake, ranging from less than once per week to more than twice per week. In contrast, ω-3 supplement use was not significantly associated with an autism diagnosis (OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 0.83-1.57) but was linked to a modest increase in SRS scores (β: 1.98; 95% CI: 0.33-3.64).

The findings, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, indicate that maternal fish consumption during pregnancy may reduce the odds of autism and related traits, while ω-3 supplementation showed no significant association with autism diagnosis but a slight increase in SRS scores.

The authors report no conflicts of interest.