Eating fish during pregnancy
In Dr. Nasrallah’s Editorial on reducing the risk of schizophrenia in a child (For couples seeking to conceive, offer advice on reducing the risk of schizophrenia, Current Psychiatry, From the Editor, August 2014, p. 11-12, 44; [https://bit.ly/1zAcnUq]), he advised a couple to “Get a good obstetrician well before conception; get the mother immunized against infections; eat a lot of fish (omega-3 fatty acids)…”
Some people are concerned about mercury levels in fish and suggest limiting fish consumption during pregnancy. I do not follow this literature and do not know which fish to recommend and avoid and the current status of the evidence. If people still believe this, should I suggest omega-3 fatty acid supplements instead of eating a lot of fish?
Oommen Mammen, MD
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Dr. Nasrallah responds
I recommend wild salmon as the best source of omega-3 fatty acids from fish. I avoid farmed salmon because that’s where some contamination has been reported. Absent the availability of wild salmon, I recommend omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
Henry A. Nasrallah, MD
Professor and Chair Department of Neurology & Psychiatry
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
St. Louis, Missouri
