2.9: Paternal Impact
- Page ID
- 233823
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Image Source: Amina Filkins. Pregnant couple sitting on sofa. Pexels.com. All photos and videos on Pexels are free to use.
A Father's Genes
A father's genes, along with the mother's, determine a child's genetic makeup which can influence the development of the fetus. A father's health, his lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs), and his exposure to environmental factors can impact sperm quality and, potentially, the health of the developing fetus.
The age of fathers at the time of conception is also an important factor. Preterm birth (PTB), low birthweight (LBW) and small-for-gestational age (SGA) are the major causes of infant mortality. Like women who are older, studies show that the children of men over 40 face an increased risk of autism, birth defects, achondroplasia (bone growth disorder) and schizophrenia. These are thought to be due to accumulated chromosomal aberrations and mutations during the maturation of sperm cells in older men.
In addition, men are more likely than women to work in occupations where hazardous chemicals are used, many of which have teratogenic effects or may cause genetic mutations - petrochemicals, lead, and pesticides that can cause abnormal sperm and lead to miscarriages or diseases. Men are also more likely to be a source of secondhand smoke for their developing offspring. It is known that smoking by the mother or around the mother can hinder prenatal development.
Source
- Lally, Martha and Suzanne Valentine-French. Lifespan Development: A Psychological Perspective(pages 52-55). Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0