Intergenerational Transmission of Health at Birth: Fathers Matter Too!
利用佛罗里达州的关联出生记录，研究发现父亲和母亲的出生体重都能显著预测孩子的出生体重，父亲的影响虽略小但同样重要。
Using linked birth records from Florida, we analyze intergenerational health transmission at birth by parental gender. We find both paternal and maternal birth weights significantly predict the child’s birth weight, even after accounting for family genetic and environmental factors. Our findings reveal a 100-g increase in the mother’s birth weight increases the child’s birth weight by 13–24 g, irrespective of maternal grandmother effects. A 100-g increase in the father’s birth weight increases the child’s birth weight by 10–15 g, irrespective of paternal grandmother effects. The modest yet accurately estimated influence of both maternal and paternal health at birth on offspring health at birth is confirmed by using alternative metrics, such as small-for-gestational-age status.