Parental Characteristics Associated With Children Born With Neural Tube Defects in Puebla, Mexico

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are one of the most common congenital anomalies. NTDs are caused by multiple factors that develop in the intrauterine stage and represent a critical birth defect morbidity and mortality. NTDs may depend on a risk factor modifiable by parents; hence, paternal health is important for transgenerational health, as it contributes half of the genetic material for the development of a new individual.

This study aims to describe demographic, biochemical parameters, and seminal characteristics of parents of offspring with NTDs.

At the General Hospital Zone No. 20 in Puebla, Mexico, parents of newborns or children with NTDs were identified. Clinical, toxicological, and environmental histories were obtained to identify risk factors for NTDs. Additionally, they were requested to provide a semen sample for spermiogram and sperm DNA fragmentation analyses.

Six fathers of children with NTDs were evaluated. Half of the offspring presented with meningocele and half with myelomeningocele. The mean paternal age at conception was 29±5.7 years. None reported folic acid supplementation; 83.3% consumed alcohol, 50% used tobacco, and 66.7% were overweight. Semen analysis showed abnormalities in 50% of cases, and all participants exhibited sperm DNA fragmentation.

Paternal preconception health is critically important for offspring development. Exposure to epigenetic factors such as environmental pollution, chemical endocrine disruptors, poor diet quality, lack of physical activity, alcohol and tobacco use, obesity, and conditions that induce oxidative stress can all compromise sperm quality and the health of progeny.

Based on our findings, lack of folic acid supplementation, obesity, alcohol consumption, and sperm DNA fragmentation emerged as significant risk factors for the occurrence of NTDs.