American Academy of Pediatrics Updates Its Advice for Allergy Prevention

There is no convincing evidence that avoiding fish during pregnancy or breastfeeding prevents allergies, according to a report issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) this week. The report says there is also no basis for holding off on feeding fish to children who are old enough to eat solid foods. To align itself with the latest science, the AAP has revised its year 2000 recommendations to say that mothers of infants with a family history of allergies do not need to follow special diets that exclude common food allergens.

This latest development comes on the heels of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) decision in December that encourages breastfeeding moms in the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program to increase consumption of a variety of fish.

“We are pleased that the AAP is correcting myths and announcing that fish and other healthful foods should not be avoided during pregnancy, breastfeeding or in the months when children first begin to eat solid food,” said NFI President John Connelly. “Continued research on the health benefits of fish strengthens what weve known all along: that fish and seafood is an integral part of a healthy, well-rounded diet for everyone, including mothers and infants.”

Many studies indicate that eating fish and seafood at least twice a week can be key to maintaining good health. The essential omega-3 fatty acids in fish and seafood have been found to contribute to healthy neurological development in children and have benefits for adult heart health and disease conditions such as Alzheimers and obesity.

According to Dr. Scott Sicherer, a contributor to the AAP study and member of the Mount Sinai School of Medicines Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, in a recent Associated Press report: “You never know whats going to come around the corner, but in the past seven years there hasnt been enough evidence to support old recommendations.”

For a complete copy of the report, please visit: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;121/1/183
For more than 60 years, the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and its members have provided American families with the variety of sustainable seafood essential to a healthy diet. For more information visit: www.AboutSeafood.com.

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Gavin Gibbons
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