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Undiagnosed coeliac disease in a father does not influence birthweight and preterm birth

Ali S Khashan1, Louise C Kenny, Roseanne McNamee

  • 1Anu Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Ireland. a.khashan@ucc.ie

Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology
|July 13, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Paternal coeliac disease (CD) diagnosis before conception was linked to slightly lower birthweights in offspring. However, untreated paternal CD showed no significant impact on birthweight or preterm birth risks.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Conflicting evidence exists regarding the impact of paternal coeliac disease (CD) on offspring birth outcomes.
  • Understanding these associations is crucial for reproductive counseling and prenatal care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between paternal CD and offspring birthweight and preterm birth.
  • To differentiate the effects of treated versus untreated paternal CD on fetal development.

Main Methods:

  • A Danish national cohort study linked medical records of singleton live-born children (1979-2004) with parental disease information.
  • Fathers diagnosed with CD were identified and categorized as treated (diagnosed before pregnancy) or untreated (diagnosed after conception).
  • Outcomes analyzed included birthweight, small-for-gestational age, and preterm birth, comparing offspring of fathers with and without CD.

Main Results:

  • Untreated paternal CD showed no significant association with reduced birthweight or preterm birth.
  • Treated paternal CD (presumed gluten-free diet) was associated with a small but statistically significant reduction in birthweight (adjusted mean difference = -81 g).
  • No significant association was found between treated paternal CD and preterm birth.

Conclusions:

  • Untreated paternal coeliac disease does not appear to increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes.
  • Diagnosis and presumed treatment of paternal CD with a gluten-free diet may be associated with slightly reduced offspring birthweight.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm the association between paternal CD treatment and birthweight.

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