title: The FDA recommendations on fish intake during pregnancy.
abstract: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that pregnant women, women of childbearing age, and young children avoid eating shark, swordfish, mackerel, and tilefish. These fish often harbor high levels of methylmercury, a potent human neurotoxin. Methylmercury readily crosses the placenta and has the potential to significantly damage the fetal nervous system. Health care providers are responsible for educating women about the hazards of methylmercury and the Food and Drug Administration recommendation.
authors.affiliation: Main Line Women's Health Care Associates, Rosemont, PA 19010, USA. emilyccevans@comcast.net
authors.forename: Emily C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration