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Men who smoke are three times as likely to have children with asthma, scientists say

Study finds father who smoked before conception have higher risk of producing offspring with asthma - suggesting it is not just maternal lifestyle choices affecting a baby's health

young man smoking by window

KIDS whose dads smoked before their conception are three times more likely to get asthma, say researchers.

The effect of a mother's lifestyle on her baby's health is well known, but now a study has suggested a father may have as much impact on his child's well-being.
It is thought nicotine chemicals harm sperm, affecting a child’s genes.

young man smoking by window
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Fathers who smoke before conception are three times as likely to have kids with asthma, study saysCredit: Alamy

Scientists at the University of Bergen, Norway, studied 24,000 youngsters and found that boys who have their first cigarette before the age of 15 put their offspring at particular risk.

Concerning mothers, the research supported previous studies in finding more child asthma if they smoked during pregnancy.

Boy using asthma inhaler
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It is thought that nicotine chemicals harm the sperm, causing children to have the respiratory conditionCredit: Alamy

But no link between a woman smoking before conception and a child having asthma was identified.

The difference from fathers' smoking habits suggest the effects are passed through male sperm cells.

Prof Cecilie Svanes said: “There is growing evidence from animal studies for so called epigenetic programming, a mechanism whereby the father’s environment before conception could impact on the health of future generations.”

Cecilie Svanes
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Professor Cecilie Svanes of the Norwegian University behind the study says the findings support growing evidence suggesting it is not just women who influence their child's healthCredit: University of Bergen

The findings add to a growing body of evidence showing men’s behaviour before conception may be vital to a baby’s health.

For example, one study suggested that a man drinking three or more cups a day of caffeinated drinks can double the risk of miscarriage.

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