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Association between paternal pre-pregnancy body mass index with preterm birth and low birth weight

Mengting Sun1, Senmao Zhang1, Letao Chen1

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.

Frontiers in Pediatrics
|October 17, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Paternal pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity significantly increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight in offspring. This highlights the importance of paternal body mass index (BMI) for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Rising global obesity rates, particularly in men, necessitate understanding its impact on pregnancy.
  • Paternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) is an under-examined factor in adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between paternal pre-pregnancy BMI and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
  • Specifically assess the link between paternal overweight/obesity and preterm birth and low birth weight in offspring.

Main Methods:

  • A multinomial logistic regression model was employed.
  • Analysis adjusted for maternal and paternal confounding factors.
  • Subgroup analysis confirmed the stability of observed risk associations.

Main Results:

  • Overweight or obese paternal pre-pregnancy BMI was linked to significantly increased risks of preterm birth and low birth weight.
  • Adjusted odds ratios for preterm birth were 1.34 (1.25-1.45) for overweight and 1.26 (1.14-1.40) for obese fathers.
  • Adjusted odds ratios for low birth weight were 1.60 (1.46-1.74) for overweight and 1.40 (1.25-1.58) for obese fathers.

Conclusions:

  • Paternal pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity are associated with increased risks of preterm birth and low birth weight.
  • These findings underscore the importance of paternal health in ensuring positive pregnancy outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
body mass indexlow birth weightpre-pregnancypreterm birthrisk factor

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