A research review has suggested that pregnant women, consuming over three servings of fish a week, could face an increased risk of delivering babies, who grow rapidly and become obese during childhood. The mentioned fish intake in the research is more than the maximum recommended by US health regulators.

Earlier studies have associated a pollutant in fish, mercury, for causing harm to the nervous, digestive and immune systems, skin, eyes, lungs, and kidneys. Considering the same, the US Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency have asked pregnant women to restrict intake. They have advice not to take over three servings per week.

Researchers have reported in JAMA Pediatrics that the new study has pointed to another risk for pregnant women that need to be considered. It is possible for fish pollutants to contribute to childhood obesity by being intrusive with hormone system development when the womb carried babies.

Lead study author Dr. Leda Chatzi of the University of Crete in Greece said that women should not avoid fish altogether, as it is a rich source of vital nutrients such as protein, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, but they shouldn't overeat.

In an email, Chatzi said that their findings have pointed out that women should stick to existing fish consumption guidelines.

While identifying some varieties that could include more pollutants, Chatzi added, “In general, women should eat a variety of types of fish each week and avoid consumption of large predatory fish such as king mackerel, swordfish, shark and tilefish”.

To figure out the link between maternal fish consumption and childhood obesity, Chatzi, along with colleagues, analyzed data from 15 studies published earlier, tracking over 26,000 pregnant women and their children during the time period of two years until the kids become six-year old.