The consumption of alcohol by a father before conception has been found to be associated with an increased risk of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and facial growth defects in their offspring, according to researchers. This new finding adds to the already established knowledge that pregnant women should not consume alcoholic beverages due to the risk of birth defects in their unborn child, as stated by the U.S. Surgeon General. The research conducted at Texas A&M University shows that a father’s alcohol consumption before conception can also lead to growth defects that affect the development of his offspring's brain, skull, and face.
Current research on fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) has traditionally focused on maternal alcohol exposure. However, due to men consuming alcohol in greater amounts and more frequently engaging in binge drinking than women, Dr. Michael Golding, an associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology at the School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, and his team sought to challenge this prevailing belief. Using a mouse model, they examined the effects of alcohol consumption by both parents, as well as the mother and father separately.
In a recent article published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Golding and his team reported that alcohol consumption by the male parent before conception resulted in FAS-related brain and facial growth defects. Golding noted that "we found that the impact of male exposures on craniofacial differences is much greater than that of maternal exposures, indicating that the programming effect that occurs through sperm has a profound impact on the facial organization and growth of different facial features."
The organization of the face undergoes a significant change when it is the father who drinks, according to a recent study. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have stated that fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
FAS can be difficult to diagnose, but physicians typically look for abnormal facial features, lower-than-average weight and height, central nervous system issues such as a small head size, and problems with attention and coordination, as well as confirmation of maternal alcohol use during pregnancy.
"When a child is suspected of having FAS, doctors typically talk to the mother to confirm the diagnosis by discussing her drinking habits during pregnancy," said Golding. "It's not uncommon for the mother to deny drinking alcohol while pregnant, and there is often a perception that women are not truthful about their alcohol use."
Dr. Golding, who received funding for this research from the W.M. Keck Foundation's Medical Research Grant and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIH), believes that the study reveals a possible gap in the current diagnostic criteria for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), which requires evidence of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy to diagnose the most severe form of the disorder, FAS.
"Our study provides a plausible alternative explanation - the father's contribution, which has never been explored before," he stated. "Through this research, we question the dismissal of the mother's denial and investigate the role of male alcohol use in causing FAS growth defects."
Golding believes that the results of his comprehensive approach, which examines the contributions of both parents to FAS, necessitate two essential changes.
Dr. Golding emphasized the need for recognizing the significance of paternal health in fetal health and pregnancy outcomes, which is a new consideration. It is equally important to raise awareness about the father's role in his offspring's health as it is for the mother's contributions during preconception and gestation.
"Most research on fetal health is primarily focused on maternal health," he noted. "I am not suggesting that this approach is incorrect, but it is incomplete, and we require a more balanced approach."
He identified two key changes that need to occur. "First, we must recognize the importance of the father's health in pregnancy outcomes and fetal health," he explained. "Second, both parents are responsible for preventing alcohol-related birth defects."
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome has significant and life-altering consequences for children.
Golding stressed that to prevent FAS-related craniofacial differences, both parents should limit or avoid alcohol consumption before trying to conceive. He recommended expanding messaging outreach to educate both parents about the reproductive risks of alcohol use. Golding suggests changing the warning label to remove the maternal emphasis and place it on both parents, stating that the decision to consume alcohol can have significant consequences on a future child. Currently, the warning label only conveys part of the story, and it is crucial to get the complete message out into the world quickly.
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