Father’s Pre-Conception Drinking Habit Linked to Significant Fetal Abnormalities

A latest research offers evidence that a father's drinking habit pre-conception plays a major role in determining the health of the unborn baby.

Maternal drinking during pregnancy is linked to an array of health problems in the offspring. One of the well known risks is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. It leads to stunted growth, under-developed intellect and nervous system abnormalities, loneliness and other social issues. But this study by Taylor & Francis Group shows that the same risk is associated with fathers who consume alcohol.

The research published in the Animal Cells and Systems, suggests that it not just the mother's but also fathers who should think twice about their drinking habits, as their lifestyle choices can affect the baby's health.

The researchers conducted a study on male mice. One group of mice was exposed to different concentrations of alcohol and another group of mice, the controls, were exposed to saline solution. After exposing the mice to two different solutions, they were allowed to mate. The researchers then examined the fetuses. This is the first study to study if paternal alcohol consumption also has a direct affect on the development of the fetal.

The researchers noticed that the fetuses that were sired by males who were exposed to alcohol had an abnormal organ development or an abnormal brain development. The fetuses sired by mice exposed to saline solution were normal. This study proves that developmental abnormalities can be determined at fertilization.

The researchers assume that alcohol consumption affects the genes in the sperm that is crucial for normal fetal growth.

Similarly, previous studies revealed that a father's lifestyle pre-conception helps in determining the child's chances of substance abuse.  The study revealed that adolescents of age 12-17 years are more vulnerable to underage drinking and drug use if their dad's abused alcohol.