How does an older father impact the birth of a baby?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-08-02 01:00

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Babies born to fathers of an older age may be more likely to have several health complications at birth, according to US research. The team looked at data from a decade of US births totalling over 45 million to investigate the age of fathers, and how this might impact birth outcomes. They say the proportion of babies born in the US to fathers aged 50+ is growing, with these fathers more racially and educationally diverse than the general population. The researchers say after controlling for the risk factors that come from the mother, having an older father was associated with a higher risk of preterm birth and low birthweight, especially when the father was 50+. Older fathers are more likely to use assisted reproductive technologies and also more likely to have female children, the researchers add.