British physicians have sounded the alarm over the potential link between heavy paternal smoking and childhood leukemia.
They suggested that exposure to harmful chemicals in tobacco can lead to genetic mutations, predisposing offspring to various health concerns.
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Isaiah Abali warned that exposure to paternal preconception smoking, combined with postnatal passive smoking, may increase the risk of childhood leukemia.
Also, Prof Gregory Erhabor, former President of the Nigerian Thoracic Society, acknowledged the established link between paternal smoking and asthma.
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Erhabor, however, called for further research into its association with leukemia adding that he has “not come across studies on this topic, but…will investigate further to determine the connection.”
A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that paternal preconception smoking greatly increases the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.
The analysis of 327 childhood leukemia cases and 416 controls revealed a striking correlation.
Experts then urged prospective fathers to quit smoking, stressing the importance of smoking cessation for both personal and familial health.
