Review of recent epidemiological studies on paternal occupations and birth defects

Abstract

The main findings reported by recent epidemiological studies on paternal occupations and birth defects are reviewed, and the main limitations associated with these studies discussed. Epidemiological studies on paternal occupations and birth defects were reviewed for the period 1989 to 1999 inclusive. Systematic searches were made with search engines with related keywords. There were several common paternal occupations that were repeatedly reported to be associated with birth defects. These paternal occupations were janitors, painters, printers, and occupations exposed to solvents; fire fighters or firemen; and occupations related to agriculture. The common weaknesses in most of these studies include inaccurate assessment of exposures, different classification systems, different inclusion criteria of birth defects, and low statistical power. It is concluded that epidemiological studies, reported in the past decade, suggest that several common paternal occupations are associated with birth defects. Future studies could be focused on these specific, rather than general, occupational groups so that causative agents may be confirmed and thus enable appropriate preventive measures to be taken.

Paternal occupational exposures and the risk of congenital malformations — A case-control study

“…Paternal occupational exposures are likely to affect congenital malformations through the spermatogenesis cycle. However, development and functional maturation extend beyond organogenesis and even beyond the moment of birth, affording a much wider time span of opportunities for harmful effects than it was traditionally thought [8]. Thus, the objective of the present study is to investigate the association between the occurrence of birth defects and the paternal workplace exposures.…”

“…The existence of hazards in the workplace environment has raised concerns about the potential of these substances for adverse reproductive effects. Historically, studies assessing the role of occupational exposures as etiological agents for birth defects focused on maternal exposures during pregnancy [8]. The role of paternal exposure received less attention despite animal evidence showing that exposures of males to toxic agents may result in congenital malformations in the offspring [9][10][11][12].…”

“…The role of paternal exposure received less attention despite animal evidence showing that exposures of males to toxic agents may result in congenital malformations in the offspring [9][10][11][12]. With increasing concern about male reproductive function raised in the past decade, epidemiological studies are being published taking into account the role of paternal exposures by evaluating paternal occupations and risk of birth defects [8]. It is suspected that environmental and occupational contaminants induce mutations resulting in increased risk for such defects in subsequent generations of the persons exposed [13].…”

Risk of congenital malformations among children of construction painters in Denmark: a nationwide cohort study

“…Also, paternal chemical exposures have been associated with congenital malformations (33)(34)(35). Theories involve mutagenesis and epigenetic modifications in sperm cells during the 69 days of spermatogenesis as well as teratogenesis following transmission of harmful chemicals from the seminal fluid to the female reproductive tract at sexual intercourse during pregnancy (36).…”

Promoting Personal Safety of Building Service Workers

“…Despite this, documented research explores the hazards primarily from a physiological, biological, or epidemiological perspective (Chia & Shi, 2002;Harding, Fleming, & Macher, 2002;Kogevinas et al, 2003;Shaw, Nelson, & Olshan, 2002). Little published research explores the cultural and language barriers that may affect the assimilation of health and safety policies, procedures, and training for building service workers, and little is known about their perspectives on workplace safety.…”