Low consumption of seafood in early pregnancy as a risk factor for preterm delivery: prospective cohort study

Abstract Objective: To determine the relation between intake of seafood in pregnancy and risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Aarhus, Denmark. Participants: 8729 pregnant women. Main outcome measures: Preterm delivery and low birth weight. Results: The occurrence of preterm delivery differed significantly across four groups of seafood intake, falling progressively from 7.1% in the group never consuming fish to 1.9% in the group consuming fish as a hot meal and an open sandwich with fish at least once a week. Adjusted odds for preterm delivery were increased by a factor of 3.6 (95% confidence interval 1.2 to 11.2) in the zero consumption group compared with the highest consumption group. Analyses based on quantified intakes indicated that the working range of the dose-response relation is mainly from zero intake up to a daily intake of 15 g fish or 0.15 g n-3 fatty acids. Estimates of risk for low birth weight were similar to those for preterm delivery. Conclusions: Low consumption of fish was a strong risk factor for preterm delivery and low birth weight. In women with zero or low intake of fish, small amounts of n-3 fatty acids—provided as fish or fish oil—may confer protection against preterm delivery and low birth weight. What is already known on this topic Long chain n-3 fatty acids in amounts above 2 g a day may delay spontaneous delivery and prevent recurrence of preterm delivery Large studies have not been carried out to determine to what extent low consumption of n-3 fatty acids is a risk factor for preterm delivery The dose-response relation has not been described What this study adds Low consumption of fish seems to be a strong risk factor for preterm delivery and low birth weight in Danish women This relation is strongest below an estimated daily intake of 0.15 g long chain n-3 fatty acids or 15 g fish