Fish consumption in infancy and development of allergic disease up to age 12 y
Authors: Magnusson J, et al.
Journal: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, June 2013 (e-published ahead of print publication April 10, 2013)
Summary: Researchers followed 3,285 children from a prospective birth cohort in Sweden to investigate the effect of fish consumption in infancy on the risk of allergic disease up to 12 years old. (This installment was a follow-up from a previous study where researchers reported that regular fish intake in infancy was associated with a reduced risk of allergic disease at age 4 years.) All children in Sweden are recommended to consume fish 2-3 times per week beginning at age 1 year. Researchers found that the average age parents introduced fish was at 8.3 2.3 months. By age 1 year, 80% of the children in the study ate fish regularly (2 times/month), with the average intake at 1.0 0.7 times/week. Researchers also discovered that children with higher fish intake at age 1 year had a significantly higher median intake of vitamin D even at age 8 years. Researchers concluded that early introduction and regular consumption of fish may reduce overall risk of allergic disease up to age 12 years, particularly risks of rhinitis and eczema.