There is considerable evidence that if the mother eats fish during pregnancy, the developing fetus benefits in a number of ways, including in behaviour intellectual abilities and aspects of vision. However, although a number of confounders have been taken into account there has always been a suspicion of residual confounding. The aim of this study is to use the exposome techniques to determine which features of the maternal
background, including features of her childhood, best predict whether she consumes fish during pregnancy. In parallel, aspects of the father's background will be assessed to determine whether similar factors predict his likelihood of eating fish. The results will be used to determine the features to be taken into account when looking at the possible consequences of eating fish.
The outcomes to be considered will be (a) the mother's physical health; (b) the mother's mental health; (c) the mother's beliefs and behaviours; (d) the child's development; (e) the child's health and behaviour; (f) the child's adolescence and early adulthood; (g) the father's physical and mental health, beliefs and behaviours.
All analyses will take account of the features identified in the exposome, as well as of assessing that the results are not due to the individual eating a healthy diet overall.