Growing Trend Among Men Is Putting Their Future Children at Risk | Why Their Children Are Paying the Price
Vincent E. Cording Longevity Mentor and Author
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The Rising Trend of Mature Fatherhood and Its Risks
Most people are aware that motherhood is constrained by a biological clock, influencing personal and professional decisions and fueling the multi-billion-dollar fertility industry. However, mature fatherhood comes with its own set of risks. A new study reveals that the proportion of U.S. fathers aged 50 or older at the time of their child’s birth is increasing, which raises concerns about the potential impacts on offspring.
An Increasing Trend in Older Fatherhood
While the exact reasons behind this trend remain uncertain, Stanford University urologist Albert Ha and colleagues suggest it is often due to "diminished concerns of the male 'biological clock' and the desire for educational and financial stability prior to starting a family."
"Previous studies have also highlighted the influence of evolving gender norms that promote active parental involvement while emphasizing traditional roles like the male 'breadwinner'," the researchers add.
The focus on maternal age has overshadowed public awareness of the "modest but significant" risks associated with advanced paternal age (APA). As more men choose to have children later in life, understanding these risks becomes increasingly important.
Health Risks for Children of Older Fathers
A 2018 study examined data from over 40 million live births in the U.S. between 2007 and 2016, uncovering several risks associated with APA. Babies born to fathers over the age of 35 faced a higher likelihood of complications, including low birth weight, seizures, and respiratory distress immediately after birth. The risks increased with paternal age. For instance, children of fathers aged 45 and older were 14 percent more likely to be born prematurely, while those with fathers aged 50 or older faced a 28 percent higher chance of requiring neonatal intensive care.
New Data Reinforces Growing Concerns
Ha and his team analyzed over 46 million live births in the U.S. between 2011 and 2022. Their cross-sectional study underscores the rising number of families affected by the risks of fathering children later in life. The average paternal age increased from 30.8 years in 2011 to 32.1 years in 2022, while the proportion of births involving fathers aged 50 or older rose from 1.1 percent to 1.3 percent in the same period—a small but significant change.
"Recent socioeconomic and demographic trends have shifted the timeline for family building in the U.S., with many couples increasingly delaying parenthood," Ha and his colleagues write.
Impact on Fertility and Birth Outcomes
Even after accounting for maternal age and other variables, every 10-year increase in paternal age correlated with a higher reliance on assisted reproductive technology (ART), an increased likelihood of first-time motherhood, and a greater risk of preterm birth and low birth weight compared to children born to fathers aged 30 to 39.
"Paternal age has also affected fertility, pregnancy trajectory, and child health," the study notes. "Age-related conditions, such as erectile dysfunction and hypogonadism, impair paternal fecundity, while older age is associated with decreased semen volume, motility, and morphology."
Older paternal age has also been linked to declines in sperm quality. This means that sperm, which contributes half of a baby's DNA, is more susceptible to genetic mutations, DNA fragmentation, abnormal chromosome numbers, and epigenetic alterations.
"Overall, the accumulation of alterations in older men may increase the risk of conditions like autism, pediatric cancers, achondroplasia, and schizophrenia; decrease likelihood of ART success; and heighten risk of perinatal complications," the authors write.
Interestingly, the study found no significant difference in infant sex ratio based on paternal age, except among fathers aged 70 or older, who were more likely to have daughters.
The Need for Greater Awareness
This research highlights the importance of raising awareness about the risks of fathering children later in life and calls for further studies to understand the societal shift leading to older fatherhood. As more men delay parenthood, it becomes crucial to ensure they are informed about potential risks and the available medical and reproductive options.
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