Adverse birth outcome across the generations: the contribution of paternal factors

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Perinatal Epidemiology
• Genetics and Epigenetics

Background:

• Maternal factors influencing infant size for gestational age (SGA) and preterm birth (PTB) are well-documented.
• The impact of paternal birth outcomes on infant outcomes remains less understood.
• Intergenerational effects on birth outcomes warrant further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between paternal small-for-gestational-age (SGA) status and infant SGA and preterm birth (PTB).
• To determine if paternal birth outcome is an independent risk factor for adverse infant outcomes.
• To examine these associations in a large, diverse US population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized vital records from Illinois for infants and parents (1989-1991 and 1956-1976).
• Employed stratified and log-binomial multivariable regression analyses.
• Adjusted for maternal SGA/PTB, maternal demographics, and lifestyle factors.

Main Results:

• Paternal SGA was associated with a 1.65-fold increased risk of infant SGA among non-Hispanic Whites.
• Paternal SGA was associated with a 1.32-fold increased risk of infant SGA among African-Americans.
• Paternal PTB showed a modest association with infant PTB in both ethnic groups, though not statistically significant in Whites.

Conclusions:

• Paternal adverse birth outcome, specifically SGA, is a modest independent risk factor for similar infant outcomes.
• The influence of paternal SGA on infant SGA appears consistent across non-Hispanic White and African-American populations.
• Findings underscore the importance of considering paternal history in assessing infant birth risks.