Becoming a Father at Fifty Is on the Rise, Affecting Child Health

Most are well aware that motherhood is limited by a biological clock – a reality that causes sleepless nights for many women, influences career and relationship decisions, and plays a significant role in the $819 million IVF industry.

However, mature fatherhood carries its own risks, and a new study reveals that the number of U.S. fathers aged 50 or older at their child’s birth is increasing, potentially affecting more children.

The reasons for this trend are unclear, but Stanford University urologist Albert Ha and his colleagues suggest it may be due to a diminished concern about the male ‘biological clock’ and a desire for educational and financial stability before starting a family.

The authors also point to shifting gender norms that emphasize active parenting alongside traditional roles like the male ‘breadwinner.’

Raising Awareness of the Overlooked Risks of Advanced Paternal Age

In a world where attention is often focused on mothers, the researchers are concerned that public awareness of the ‘modest but significant’ risks associated with advanced paternal age (APA) is lacking.

A 2018 study, analyzing data from over 40 million live births in the U.S. between 2007 and 2016, identified several risks linked to mature fatherhood.

The findings showed that babies born to fathers over 35 were at higher risk for issues like low birth weight, seizures, and breathing difficulties immediately after birth.

Increased Risks for Babies Born to Older Fathers

The older the father, the greater the risk: babies born to fathers aged 45 or older were 14 percent more likely to be born prematurely, and those with fathers aged 50 or older were 28 percent more likely to be admitted to neonatal intensive care.

Ha and his colleagues analyzed over 46 million live births in the U.S. from 2011 to 2022. Their cross-sectional study reveals that as more men choose to become fathers at an older age, the proportion of U.S. families facing these risks is increasing.

The average paternal age rose gradually from 30.8 years in 2011 to 32.1 years in 2022, with the percentage of births involving fathers aged 50 or older climbing from 1.1 percent in 2011 to 1.3 percent in 2022. Although small, this increase is noteworthy.

“Ha and his colleagues note that recent socioeconomic and demographic trends have altered the timeline for family building in the U.S., with more couples choosing to delay parenthood.”

Rising Paternal Age Tied to Increased Use of ART, First Births, and Higher Risks for Preterm and Low Birth Weight Babies

Even after adjusting for maternal age and other factors, each 10-year increase in the father’s age was linked to a higher reliance on assisted reproductive technology (ART). It also correlated with a greater likelihood of the mother having her first birth, as well as an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight compared to fathers aged 30 to 39.

The authors note that ‘paternal age has also influenced fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and child health.’

Age-related conditions, such as erectile dysfunction and hypogonadism, impair male fertility, while advancing age is associated with decreased semen volume, motility, and morphology.

Research has further connected older paternal age to a decline in sperm quality, with the sperm being more susceptible to DNA fragmentation, abnormal chromosome numbers, new mutations, and epigenetic changes.

‘Overall, the accumulation of these alterations in older men may raise the risk of conditions such as autism, pediatric cancers, achondroplasia, and schizophrenia, reduce the success rate of ART, and increase the likelihood of perinatal complications,’ the authors state.

No significant differences were found in the infant sex ratio based on the father’s age, except among fathers aged 70 or older, who were more likely to have a female baby.

“Ultimately, the research underscores the importance of raising awareness about the risks associated with mature fatherhood and calls for further exploration of the factors contributing to this societal trend.”

Read the original article on: Science Alert

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