In healthy postpartum women from continental (n=197) and coastal Croatia (n=203), the intake of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA+DHA), essential elements N, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Se, toxic metals Hg, Cd, Pb, and the metalloid As was assessed by marine fish consumption. The profile of fatty acids was determined (by GC) in the most commonly consumed fish species: sardine, European hake, gilthead seabream and seabass (n=84). Multielement analysis was carried out (by ICP-MS) in wild-caught (n=813) and farmed fish from the eastern Adriatic Sea (n=24) as well as in frozen (n=64) and canned fish (n=37). The results on analytes in fish were related to the data from the questionnaires and element status in mother and offspring was estimated in relation to sea food intake and predetermined element levels in maternal hair, blood and serum and umbilical cord blood. It was shown that sardines and anchovies are a valuable food source of Fe, Zn and Cu, and sardines and picarels for Se. The estimated intake through one fish meal of 130 g is on average 956 mg EPA+DHA (i.e. ca. 4 times the dietary reference value, DRV) and about 10% of the DRVs for essential elements, and for Se >60% DRV. Higher maternal serum concentrations of Fe, Zn and Cu (as red meat and cereals are their main sources) and lower serum Se, as well as lower Hg and Se in maternal hair and lower Hg and As in maternal and cord blood were found in the continental vs. coastal area. In all of the measured biological samples the levels of Hg, As and Se positively correlated with the frequency of fish consumption. Given the average fish consumption per week of 130 g and the content of toxic metals in fish with <0.16 mg Hg/kg (with the exception of >0.42 mg Hg/kg in wild red mullet and gilthead seabream) and <0.02 mg/kg for both Cd and Pb, it was concluded that there was no risk of increased toxic metal intake, whereas the main chemical form of As in marine fish is arsenobetaine which is non-toxic. The original contribution of this research are its results, which can serve in drawing up national guidelines on fish consumption in women during the reproduction period and for children due to exposure of Hg through fish consumption, especially by species from the Adriatic Sea, which have increased Hg content.