Abstract
BACKGROUND: Paternal occupational exposures to potential health hazards are likely to affect congenital malformations through the spermatogenesis cycle. PURPOSE: The aim of this case-control study was to assess the relationship between the risk of musculoskeletal congenital malformations in offspring and paternal workplace exposure to potential health hazards during the preconception period. METHOD: The study comprised 105 patients (cases) with a musculoskeletal congenital malformation(s) and 135 controls matched for age and demographic characteristics. Both parents of each case and control were interviewed in the hospital by a trained physician. They also completed a questionnaire focusing on the preconception period and on the 3-month period immediately before and after the pregnancy conception date, respectively, of the child under study. RESULTS: The odds of having a child with a congenital malformation was higher (P < 0.05) if the father was occupationally exposed to pesticides, solvents, or welding fumes during the preconception period. CONCLUSION: Control of workplace exposures and adherence to threshold limit values of these potential health hazards should be adopted to minimize the risk of fathers having offspring with a congenital malformation.