INMA position to fish consumption for pregnant women and children

07/07/2011

AESAN recommendations, which were already in force in several European countries, have been taken by different media. Given the theme of the story, and that directly affects the object of study of the INMA project, we decided to issue a statement on the matter. This statement, a summary of which I discussed below, and you have attached, was sent to the Spanish Society of Public Health and Health Administration (SESPAS).

Mercury associated with consumption of large fish

The theme of this story is not new to INMA. In fact, a high percentage of 1883 newborns between 2004 and 2008 from four areas of Spain in the study INMA-Children and the Environment had mercury levels in cord blood higher than recommended by various international agencies.

24{3effe4377b6f02be2524d084f7d03914ac32a2b62c0a056ca3444e58c1f10d0b} of children exceeded the levels equivalent to the doses recommended by the FAO (OMS) and 64{3effe4377b6f02be2524d084f7d03914ac32a2b62c0a056ca3444e58c1f10d0b} recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency.

And these mercury levels are clearly associated with the consumption of large predatory fish like swordfish and bluefin tuna emperor by the mother during pregnancy.

More information in the attached document.