Aspiring fathers should abstain from alcohol for at least six months before conception to minimize the risk of congenital heart defects in their babies.
Congenital heart defects affect over a million babies worldwide each year. As the leading cause of perinatal death, they also raise the risk of cardiovascular issues later in life. Notably, one in four children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) has congenital heart disease, highlighting alcohol's potential role.
While maternal alcohol use has been extensively studied, a recent analysis focused on fathers. Findings appear in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Researchers reviewed data from 55 studies (1991-2019), involving over 41,000 babies with congenital heart defects and nearly 300,000 without. They found risk escalated with parental alcohol intake.
For mothers, regular drinking in the three months preconception raised the risk by 16%. For fathers, it was 44% higher. Binge drinking (5+ drinks per session) increased risk by 16% for mothers and 52% for fathers.
“Occasional binge drinking by prospective parents is high-risk behavior that elevates chances of heart defects in babies and harms their own health,” says Dr. Jiabi Qin, Xiangya School of Public Health, China.
The team recommends fathers stop alcohol at least six months before conception; mothers, at least one year prior.
This study observes associations; more research is needed on mechanisms.
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