How Father’s Health Affects Child Development: Be it city or village, for years most of the discussions related to pregnancy revolved only around the health of the mother. Doctors used to emphasize on nutrition, hormones, scans, vitamins and antenatal care during pregnancy, while the role of the father was considered limited to emotional support only. But now scientific research is changing this thinking. Experts say that the health of the child can depend not only on the mother but also on the health of the father to a great extent.

What is the impact of father on children’s health?

New research being done around the world is trying to understand that the father’s age, stress, smoking, alcohol habit, lack of sleep and even exposure to pollution before conception can affect the health of the child. This does not mean that the children of people who become fathers at an older age will definitely have any problems, but research is definitely showing that the health of the father is as important as that of the mother.

What are the problems of becoming a father late?

In recent years, there has been a lot of discussion about advanced paternal age i.e. becoming a father at an older age. Several studies have found that children of men over 45 years of age may have a slightly increased risk of autism spectrum disorder and some neurodevelopmental problems. Researchers believe that this may be related to small DNA changes that occur in sperm over time. A large study published in JAMA Psychiatry discussed the relationship between father’s age and mental health problems in children. A review by the National Institute of Mental Health found that the risk of spontaneous genetic mutation may increase in older men. Although doctors clearly say that these are only risk patterns, not any definite prediction.

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Does lifestyle also have any effect?

According to experts, not only age but also lifestyle plays a very important role, smoking can affect the quality of sperm and damage the DNA. Apart from this, things like stress, obesity, alcohol, poor sleep and pollution can also affect epigenetics, which decides how genes will work in the body. A detailed review published in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology has also described the impact of father’s age and lifestyle on reproductive health. In recent years, the National Institutes of Health has also considered the preconception health of the father i.e. health before pregnancy as important.

These things are very important for a healthy generation

According to Dr. Meenu Handa, Director, Fertility and Head Academic-Reproductive Medicine, Motherhood Hospital Gurugram, now experts are paying more attention to how healthy both the parents are before conception. He says that men’s fertility and their lifestyle have been ignored for a long time, whereas habits like good sleep, balanced diet, less stress, abstinence from smoking and alcohol can also be important for the health of the coming generation.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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