Paternal Influence on FASD: A Discussion on Epigenetics and Risks

This discussion post explores the significant influence of paternal alcohol consumption on the occurrence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The assignment is based on a review article highlighting the role of epigenetics and paternal lifestyle in causing birth defects, contrasting with the traditional focus on maternal influence. The post analyzes how a father's drinking habits and overall health can affect the unborn child, leading to FASD. It includes student responses that agree with the importance of paternal impact, the need for education, and the shift in public discourse to recognize both parents' roles in fetal health. The discussion emphasizes the importance of further research into the combined effects of maternal and paternal factors and provides a detailed overview of the content.

Running head: PATERNAL INFLUENCE ON FASD 1
Paternal alcohol intake and FASD
This article reveals that a father has significant influence the occurrence of birth defects
in their children. For instance, old age has the potential of influencing heart malformation among
other defects. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are also more likely to happen if the child’s father
is an alcoholic. According to (Abadir and Ickowicz, 2016), alcohol intake by men before
conception causes high risk of the teratogenic effects of alcohol reaching the child. It has been
associated with low birth weight and cognitive impairments. The article states that Alcohol
causes a reduction in the performance of DNA methyltransferase which ultimately causes
congenital defects.
However, the effects of the father on the health of the fetus are barely researched as most
studies have focused on the mother. For instance, diet low in protein during pregnancy led to
glucose intolerance and increased abdominal adiposity, increasing maternal age increases the risk
of congenital malformations and alcohol consumption is strongly linked to FASD. It is evident
that maternal influence had been widely researched and integrate into practice while paternal
influence is virtually ignored.
In fact, the burden of FASD has continually been put on the mother, who is always asked
to avoid alcohol use during pregnancy. FASD guidelines should also include education on effects
of the father on the child pre-conception and during pregnancy. It is now evident that both
parents, not just the mother have the ability to put the baby at risk of having FASD and other
congenital malformations.
Through epigenetic mechanism, the father significantly influences the occurrence of birth
defects. Factors such as irradiation, smoking and poor diet put their offspring at risk of obesity,

PATERNAL INFLUENCE ON FASD 2
diabetes, and cancer among other risks. A smoking father may contain spermatozoa with highly
damaged DNA while increasing age had significant influence on whether the child would
acquire schizophrenia. There is also need for further research that looks into the interaction of
both maternal and paternal effects pre-conception and during pregnancy, in order to form
guidelines leading to healthy conception, pregnancy, and fetus.
Reference
Abadir, A. M., & Ickowicz, A. (2016). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: reconsidering
blame. CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association
medicale canadienne, 188(3), 171–172. doi:10.1503/cmaj.151425
Reply to student 1 KM
I agree that a father plays a significant role in their child’s well-being both physically and
mentally. The assumption that the mother is the only factor in fetal well-being especially when it
comes FASD has led most fathers to expose their unborn children to FASD. Now, with these
upcoming research studies, fathers can be more informed and the mothers can stop taking all the
blame and responsibility. I also agree that there is need for mass education regarding FASD, its
causes and effects in order to change the assumption that it is the pregnant mother’s burden alone
Reply to student 2 CR
Your explanation of the mutagenicity of alcohol and its ability to alter the DNA of the
father clearly explains how paternal alcohol consumption causes adverse fetal effects. When the
father’s sperm altered, the risk for altered embryonic development is also high. You also mention
that maternal consumption of alcohol affects the fetus, and there is a need for research looking
into the interplay of both maternal and paternal influences on the fetus. This would provide more

PATERNAL INFLUENCE ON FASD 3
insight on congenital disorders and lead to formation of guidelines that guide maternal and
paternal influences before and after conception.