Women’s health has long been known to affect her baby’s health both prior to and at the time of pregnancy. However, there is a growing body of evidence indicating that pre-conception health of fathers can also affect the pregnancy and the baby. As per a recent Lancet study the health of both women and men, before they even conceive a child, can have profound impacts on the health of their offspring - such as birth weight and brain development.

“While the changing trends in society have taken a turn where fathers are now taking up roles of the primary caregiver of their child, understanding the importance of paternal health in the development of an offspring is as important as it is in the case of maternal health,” says Dr Vijay D’Silva, Director - Medical Affairs & Critical Care, Asian Heart Institute.