Eating fish during pregnancy: Risk of exposure to toxic levels of methylmercury

Question. One of my pregnant patients consumes four cans of tuna a week. She bacame very concerned when she read that tuna contains methylmercury, which is toxic to the fetal brain. How should I advise her? Answer. Fresh tuna might contain toxic levels of methylmercury, but levels are much lower in canned tuna. Reassure your patient that eating canned tuna will not harm her or her baby.