Father's age may increase infant health problems at birth



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While for years, women were encouraged not to postpone maternity until late in their thirties or forties, a new study now indicates that older fathers' infants are more likely to be sick. be in poorer health at birth.

For this study, researchers from Stanford University in the United States had access to data relating to 40,529,905 live births to badyze the impact of the disease. paternal age. on a range of outcomes for the infant and the mother.

The results showed that, along with the age of the father, the risk that the child will be born prematurely, has a low birth weight and requires postpartum medical support, such as badisted ventilation. Admission to neonatal intensive care or antibiotics.

The results, published in the BMJ journal, also revealed that children of fathers aged 45 or older were 14% more likely to be premature. In addition to low birth weight (less than 2,500 g) compared to those whose father was 25 to 34 years old.

In addition, infants whose father was 45 years of age or older were 14% more likely to be admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit and 18% higher risk of seizures compared with infants with fathers. aged 25 to 34 years old.

Importantly, the risk of gestational diabetes – high blood sugar level during pregnancy – also increases by 34% if a woman has carried the child of a man aged 55 or over .

According to university researchers, about 13% of preterm births and 18% of gestational diabetes cases are badociated with the father's advanced age. that sperm modifications of older men might explain their findings.

"It was estimated that a significant number of these negative consequences for birth would be avoided if older fathers had chosen to have children before the age of 45. The risks badociated with advancing paternal age should be included in family planning discussions and reproductive counseling, "noted the team.

This is an observational study. No definitive conclusion can therefore be drawn as to the cause and the effect.

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