The team from Texas A&M University (USA) has uncovered how a man’s alcohol consumption before conception affects the future development of the fetus.
When it comes to diagnosing infants with congenital defects, medical professionals traditionally focus solely on the mother’s drinking habits. However, most doctors overlook the impact of the father’s health and lifestyle on the child’s development.
In 1981, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a warning that alcohol consumption by women during pregnancy is a cause of physical and mental congenital defects in children. This warning came in response to scientific recognition that a range of severe physical and mental disorders in children, known as fetal alcohol syndrome, correlates with maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Despite this, there have been documented cases where children diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome were born to mothers who denied drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
A team of scientists led by Professor of Physiology Michael Golding set out to clarify the situation. Their groundbreaking research has, for the first time, demonstrated that a man’s alcohol consumption prior to his wife’s pregnancy is a likely factor in the development of craniofacial anomalies and developmental disorders in the child.
What the Researchers Discovered
Thus, the scientists focused on men’s alcohol consumption in the weeks and months leading up to conception, as reported by Science Alert.
Alcohol is a social drug, so when women drink, they often do so alongside their male partners. With this in mind, Professor Golding’s lab aimed to determine what happens to the future child if the mother, father, or both parents consume alcohol.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is associated with three main congenital defects: facial anomalies, slowed head and brain development, and fetal growth restriction.
By analyzing the results of previous studies conducted on humans and mice, the researchers utilized facial recognition software to examine the effects of alcohol consumption on the appearance of offspring born to mothers, fathers, or both parents who drank before conception.
The scientists found that chronic alcohol consumption by men has a catastrophic impact on the formation of the child’s skull and face. The team also observed microcephaly—underdevelopment of the head and brain. Additionally, they noted a concerning trend regarding the baby’s weight: the more alcohol the future father consumed, the lower the child’s weight.
The researchers concluded that chronic alcohol consumption by men (more than five alcoholic drinks per day within a four-hour window) can lead to all three major congenital defects associated with fetal alcohol syndrome.
The team also discovered that craniofacial changes persist into later ages. This includes abnormal tooth positioning, which is another recognized symptom of fetal alcohol syndrome.
The study also confirmed the direct impact of alcohol consumption on male fertility and the couple’s ability to conceive a child. These findings could be particularly beneficial for young parents trying to start a family.