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Paternal preconception health and care: Naturopaths supporting males before they have children
Abstract

Paternal preconception health and care: Naturopaths supporting males before they have children

Tristan Carter
Australian journal of herbal and naturopathic medicine, Vol.35(1), pp.14-15
Naturopathic Symposium (Melbourne, Australia, 27/05/2023–28/05/2023)
2023

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Abstract

Preventive health is a cornerstone of Naturopathic practice. Paternal preconception care is a preventive paradigm prioritizing the health roles and responsibilities of males before having a child, optimising pregnancy, and offspring outcomes by addressing diet, lifestyle, and environment while limiting any modifiable risk factors. Indeed, such precautions sustain public health, preserving male health, the health of children and future generations. A systematic review exploring paternal preconception modifiable risk factors for adverse pregnancy and offspring outcomes. Studies were included if observational, reporting associations of modifiable risk factors in the preconception period among males (e.g., identified as reproductive partners of pregnant women and/or fathers of offspring for the outcomes reported) with adverse pregnancy and offspring outcomes. 36 cohort and three case-control papers were identified, albeit the evidence from this review is limited and heterogeneous. Papers assessed as good quality showed that paternal smoking may increase the risk of birth defects and higher paternal BMI was associated with higher offspring birthweight. Nonetheless, further high-quality research is necessitated for men and couples to prepare for healthy pregnancies and children. Naturopathic prudence acknowledges paternal preconception health and care in clinical practice, assisting to identify and address men’s preconception modifiable risk factors and/or health behaviours that influence adverse pregnancy outcomes. This research strives to promote and influence paternal preconception bi-directional translational research, a continuing cycle of new knowledge with the potential to further research and ultimately translate to clinical practice, enriching health care and/or public health.

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