Even his father counts, if he is over 35, more risk at birth

Milan, November 2 (AdnKronos Health) – If the father is "old", the baby will face more risk at birth. A study by researchers in the United States on a decade of data on more than 40 million births in the country highlights the possible weight of his age. Research – signed by scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine and published online in the British Medical Journal – shows an badociation between the age of the most advanced father and a series of increased risks, including low birth weight and convulsions. The work suggests that this personal data could also influence the health of the mother during pregnancy, especially the risk of developing diabetes.

"In the badessment of risks badociated with birth – emphasizes Michael Eisenberg, badociate professor of urology and senior author of the study, we tend to take into account maternal factors, but this study shows that having a healthy baby is a "team work." The age of the father contributes to the child's health. "

The research results showed that babies born over 35 years old had a higher risk of adverse effects at birth – low birth weight, convulsions, need for ventilation – and greater seniority of the father, the greater the risk. For example, men aged 45 or older were 14% more likely to have a baby born prematurely than fathers aged 25 to 34 (average age of fatherhood in the United States) and risk of convulsions increased by 18%. Again: Fathers aged 50 or over 50 were 28% more likely to have a child to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Risks, says Eisenberg, are still relatively low. The expert believes, however, that this discovery can be seen as an additional bag of information for those wishing to start a family, and the scientist hopes that it will serve to educate the public and the health authorities.

Eisenberg published another study in 2017 showing an increase of more than 40 fathers. In light of this trend, he notes: "I think it is more important for us to understand the consequences of paternal age on the health of newborns and their mothers. biological role of the father ".