Study: The age of the advanced father affects the safety of his offspring Science and technology DW



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The age of a woman is supposed to be important only when it comes to having children, her fertility begins to decline in the third and fourth decades and reaches menopause at during its fourth or fifth decade. This belief has been common for a long time.

But research conducted in recent years has shown that the age of the father was also important for child fertility and growth. A study published in the Journal of Biological Psychiatry has confirmed the existence of a link between the age of the advanced father and schizophrenia. The study also revealed that the risk of early schizophrenia increased especially in children of older parents. According to experts, this acute form of schizophrenia occurs before the age of 18 and is associated with more genetic abnormalities.

"Any delay of 10 years in the father's age increases about 30% risk of early schizophrenia in Thirthe," said Shi Heng Wang of the China Medical University in Taichung. In contrast, the age of the mother has no effect on the risk of disorder.

Additional risks

With the accumulation of genetic mutations in sperm, the risk of childbirth increases every year for men over 35 years of age. The risk of autism in children over 40 was 5.75 times higher than that of parents under 30 years of age. Researchers have linked ADHD, hyperactivity, bipolar disorder, suicide attempts and substance abuse problems. The risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia increases during childhood and other cancers later in life, such as breast and prostate cancers.

A Stanford University study of 40.5 million births between 2007 and 2016 found that the age of the advanced father (known as a father over 35) resulted in increased risk low birth weight, seizures and other adverse effects on birth. For example, there was a 14% increase in the number of preterm births when the father was over 45 years of age and 28% when the father was over 50 years old.

The study also revealed that it was surprising that the age of the advanced father was associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes in the mother during pregnancy. For parents aged 55 and older, the risk of maternal gestational diabetes increased by 34%. The researchers did not know why, but thought it might have something to do with the mother's placenta.

Indian Vater mit Sohn (picture-alliance / dpa / Bildagentur-online / Tips Images)

Family planning

"The decision to breed and the timing are complicated," said Michael Eisenberg, director of medicine and male reproductive surgery and associate professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Although the potential for negative outcomes is still not significant, it is important that future parents know when to plan their families, especially as the age of parents increases in many parts of the world.

"Although we know that the risks are changing with the age of women, this study also provides evidence of the father's age-related impact," Eisenberg said.

Other considerations

There are also other harmful effects on children that can be caused by a delayed pregnancy of women. The advanced age of the mother helps to increase the risk of complications related to pregnancy, Down syndrome, abortion, premature birth, birth defects, heart disease and others.

In an interview with DW, Mikko Merskila, director of the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, and his colleagues gave a more comprehensive view of the parents' age and outcomes for children. "For me, as a sociologist, the question is how physiological processes are important in relation to social processes," said Merskella.

The Merskila team not only looked at the weight of the babies, but also the level of education of the children later. She found that women being older than women, on average have more time and education.

Sam Baker / SA

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