Aliche Kenechi A, Umeoguaju Francis U, Ikewuchi Catherine, Diorgu Faith C, Ajao Opeyemi, Frazzoli Chiara, Orisakwe Orish E
African Centre of Excellence for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria.
Biochemistry Department, Pamo University of Medical Sciences, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Environ Health Insights. 2025 Apr 17;19:11786302251327535. doi: 10.1177/11786302251327535. eCollection 2025.
Paternal lead exposure has emerged as a potential contributor to adverse pregnancy outcomes, yet its impact remains underexplored compared to maternal exposure. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesize evidence on the association between paternal lead exposure and pregnancy outcomes to inform public health interventions and future research. To evaluate the association between paternal lead exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including spontaneous abortion, low birth weight, preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age, and congenital anomalies. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted up to August 2024. Observational studies examining paternal lead exposure (⩾15 µg/dL) and its effects on pregnancy outcomes were included. Data synthesis adhered to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to compute pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Eleven studies were included in the systematic review, with 7 contributing to the meta-analysis. The pooled OR for congenital anomalies associated with paternal lead exposure was statistically significant (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 2.09-3.35; P < .01), indicating a strong association. However, no significant associations were observed for other outcomes: spontaneous abortion (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.75-1.64), low birth weight (OR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.68-1.39), preterm birth (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 0.61-4.05), and small-for-gestational-age infants (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.78-1.09). Heterogeneity was low for most outcomes, except for spontaneous abortion ( = 39%) and preterm birth ( = 52%). This study highlights a significant association between paternal lead exposure and congenital anomalies, emphasizing the need for occupational and environmental regulations targeting lead exposure among men of reproductive age.
父亲铅暴露已成为不良妊娠结局的一个潜在影响因素,但与母亲铅暴露相比,其影响仍未得到充分研究。本系统评价和荟萃分析综合了关于父亲铅暴露与妊娠结局之间关联的证据,以为公共卫生干预措施和未来研究提供参考。旨在评估父亲铅暴露与不良妊娠结局之间的关联,这些不良妊娠结局包括自然流产、低出生体重、早产、小于胎龄儿和先天性异常。截至2024年8月,对PubMed、Scopus和谷歌学术进行了系统检索。纳入了研究父亲铅暴露(⩾15 µg/dL)及其对妊娠结局影响的观察性研究。数据合成遵循PRISMA 2020指南,并使用纽卡斯尔-渥太华量表评估研究质量。采用随机效应模型进行荟萃分析,以计算合并比值比(OR)及95%置信区间(CI)。系统评价纳入了11项研究,其中7项纳入了荟萃分析。与父亲铅暴露相关的先天性异常的合并OR具有统计学意义(OR = 2.09,95%CI:2.09 - 3.35;P < 0.01),表明存在强关联。然而,在其他结局方面未观察到显著关联:自然流产(OR = 1.11,95%CI:0.75 - 1.64)、低出生体重(OR = 0.98,95%CI:0.68 - 1.39)、早产(OR = 1.57,95%CI:0.61 - 4.05)和小于胎龄儿(OR = 0.92,95%CI:0.78 - 1.09)。除自然流产( = 39%)和早产( = 52%)外,大多数结局的异质性较低。本研究强调了父亲铅暴露与先天性异常之间的显著关联,强调了针对育龄男性铅暴露制定职业和环境法规的必要性。