Exploring the Father’s Role in Determining Neonatal Birth Weight: A Narrative Review

Birth weight, which exhibits variability across different populations, is influenced by a mix of genetic, environmental, and dietary factors originating from both the mother and father. Maternal characteristics, including age, socioeconomic status, prior pregnancies, weight, height, and weight incre...

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Main Authors: Alessandro Libretti, Federica Savasta, Anthony Nicosia, Christian Corsini, Alberto De Pedrini, Livio Leo, Antonio Simone Laganà, Libera Troìa, Miriam Dellino, Raffaele Tinelli, Felice Sorrentino, Valentino Remorgida
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Medicina
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/60/10/1661
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author Alessandro Libretti
Federica Savasta
Anthony Nicosia
Christian Corsini
Alberto De Pedrini
Livio Leo
Antonio Simone Laganà
Libera Troìa
Miriam Dellino
Raffaele Tinelli
Felice Sorrentino
Valentino Remorgida
author_facet Alessandro Libretti
Federica Savasta
Anthony Nicosia
Christian Corsini
Alberto De Pedrini
Livio Leo
Antonio Simone Laganà
Libera Troìa
Miriam Dellino
Raffaele Tinelli
Felice Sorrentino
Valentino Remorgida
author_sort Alessandro Libretti
collection DOAJ
description Birth weight, which exhibits variability across different populations, is influenced by a mix of genetic, environmental, and dietary factors originating from both the mother and father. Maternal characteristics, including age, socioeconomic status, prior pregnancies, weight, height, and weight increase throughout pregnancy, have a substantial influence on fetal growth and the health of the infant. On the other hand, the influence of paternal characteristics on the weight of newborns is still not fully comprehended in a consistent manner. Birth weight is an important factor that can help predict various maternal complications, such as the probability of having a C-section, experiencing postpartum hemorrhage or infections. It can also indicate future health challenges like asthma, cognitive impairment, and chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Nineteen publications were found through a thorough search of the Medline, PubMed, and Scopus databases, which provide insights into how paternal variables contribute to variations in birth weight. Significantly, the age of the father was found to be associated with higher chances of preterm birth and having a smaller size for gestational age in premature infants, while full-term children were more likely to have a larger size for gestational age. In addition, there is a constant correlation between the height of the father and the birth weight of the child. Taller dads are more likely to have babies with a higher birth weight and a lower likelihood of being small for gestational age (SGA). Although there were some discrepancies in the data about the weight and BMI of fathers, it was found that the height of fathers played a significant role in determining the size of the fetus and the weight of the newborn. While there may be differences in the conducted studies, these findings provide valuable insights into the complex connection between parental characteristics and fetal development. This data can be utilized to enhance clinical treatment strategies and enhance our comprehension of outcomes for neonates. Further homogeneous investigations are required to conclusively validate and build upon these findings.
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spelling doaj-art-b0fcf90e64374539aa3d2979a99a41b02025-08-20T02:10:56ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442024-10-016010166110.3390/medicina60101661Exploring the Father’s Role in Determining Neonatal Birth Weight: A Narrative ReviewAlessandro Libretti0Federica Savasta1Anthony Nicosia2Christian Corsini3Alberto De Pedrini4Livio Leo5Antonio Simone Laganà6Libera Troìa7Miriam Dellino8Raffaele Tinelli9Felice Sorrentino10Valentino Remorgida11Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Maggiore della Carità, 28100 Novara, ItalyDepartment of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Maggiore della Carità, 28100 Novara, ItalyDepartment of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Maggiore della Carità, 28100 Novara, ItalyDivision of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Maggiore della Carità, 28100 Novara, ItalyDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hopital Beauregard, AUSL Valleè d’Aoste, 11100 Aosta, ItalyUnit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Paolo Giaccone” Hospital, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, ItalyDepartment of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Maggiore della Carità, 28100 Novara, ItalyDepartment of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Valle d’Itria” Hospital, Martina Franca, 74015 Taranto, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, ItalyDepartment of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Maggiore della Carità, 28100 Novara, ItalyBirth weight, which exhibits variability across different populations, is influenced by a mix of genetic, environmental, and dietary factors originating from both the mother and father. Maternal characteristics, including age, socioeconomic status, prior pregnancies, weight, height, and weight increase throughout pregnancy, have a substantial influence on fetal growth and the health of the infant. On the other hand, the influence of paternal characteristics on the weight of newborns is still not fully comprehended in a consistent manner. Birth weight is an important factor that can help predict various maternal complications, such as the probability of having a C-section, experiencing postpartum hemorrhage or infections. It can also indicate future health challenges like asthma, cognitive impairment, and chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Nineteen publications were found through a thorough search of the Medline, PubMed, and Scopus databases, which provide insights into how paternal variables contribute to variations in birth weight. Significantly, the age of the father was found to be associated with higher chances of preterm birth and having a smaller size for gestational age in premature infants, while full-term children were more likely to have a larger size for gestational age. In addition, there is a constant correlation between the height of the father and the birth weight of the child. Taller dads are more likely to have babies with a higher birth weight and a lower likelihood of being small for gestational age (SGA). Although there were some discrepancies in the data about the weight and BMI of fathers, it was found that the height of fathers played a significant role in determining the size of the fetus and the weight of the newborn. While there may be differences in the conducted studies, these findings provide valuable insights into the complex connection between parental characteristics and fetal development. This data can be utilized to enhance clinical treatment strategies and enhance our comprehension of outcomes for neonates. Further homogeneous investigations are required to conclusively validate and build upon these findings.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/60/10/1661anthropometrybirthweightpaternal influence on birthweight
spellingShingle Alessandro Libretti
Federica Savasta
Anthony Nicosia
Christian Corsini
Alberto De Pedrini
Livio Leo
Antonio Simone Laganà
Libera Troìa
Miriam Dellino
Raffaele Tinelli
Felice Sorrentino
Valentino Remorgida
Exploring the Father’s Role in Determining Neonatal Birth Weight: A Narrative Review
Medicina
anthropometry
birthweight
paternal influence on birthweight
title Exploring the Father’s Role in Determining Neonatal Birth Weight: A Narrative Review
title_full Exploring the Father’s Role in Determining Neonatal Birth Weight: A Narrative Review
title_fullStr Exploring the Father’s Role in Determining Neonatal Birth Weight: A Narrative Review
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the Father’s Role in Determining Neonatal Birth Weight: A Narrative Review
title_short Exploring the Father’s Role in Determining Neonatal Birth Weight: A Narrative Review
title_sort exploring the father s role in determining neonatal birth weight a narrative review
topic anthropometry
birthweight
paternal influence on birthweight
url https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/60/10/1661
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