As women, we're often told that we have a 'ticking biological clock' and we need to have children before it becomes too late. But were you aware that men have a biological clock too? Scientists have discovered that older fathers might just actually put the health of their partners and their unborn children at risk. The study looked at almost 40 years of research on how parents' age affected fertility, pregnancy and the health of children.
“While it is widely accepted that physiological changes that occur in women after 35 can affect conception, pregnancy and the health of the child, most men do not realise their advanced age can have a similar impact,” said one researcher. They also said that there was no particular age as such at which advanced paternal age began, but according to their research, it should ideally range between 35-45 years. They also found that over the past 40 years, infants born to men over 45 years of age have increased by 10% in the US.
And since these men are often the ones who experience decreased fertility, it's more likely for them to put their partners at risk by increasing pregnancy-related complications like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and preterm birth. In fact, it was even found that infants who were born to such fathers were a lot more prone to health risks such as premature birth, late stillbirth, low Apgar scores, low birth weight, congenital heart disease and newborn seizures.
And it wasn't just during infancy or adolescence that these children had health issues. They also faced health risks as they turned into adults. They had an increased risk of developing cancers, psychiatric issues and cognitive problems as well as autism. Well, now we know why people get rushed when it comes to their biological clocks. Stay tuned for more updates.
