A Healthy Start Begins Before Birth

High levels of alcohol use in pregnancy have been shown to be associated with negative physical health consequences in offspring. However, the literature is less clear on the association of alcohol use in pregnancy and offspring mental health, specifically for low levels of prenatal alcohol exposure.

Paternal alcohol consumption may affect fetal development through a direct effect on the father’s sperm or gonads. This possibility casts new light on the heritability of alcoholism in humans.