It is common knowledge that advancing maternal age increases the risk for miscarriage, but now research published in Obstetrics and Gynecology finds that advancing paternal age also influences outcome.
After the age of 35 women are at increased risk for having a miscarriage. The risk is elevated because genetic material contained in the eggs can become damaged over time, and each egg is present at birth in females.
Now this study from Columbia University in New York states that men over the age of 40 have increased risk for miscarriage in their pregnant partners, a risk similar to that of a 35 year old woman. Even though the sperm are newly produced each day, genetic damage may occur during production.
From more than 14,000 pregnancies they found that miscarriage rates were 60% higher when the father's age was greater than 40 and 40% higher if he was between 30 and 39. All increases were independant of the mother's age and other risk factors such as cigarette smoking.
The study brings an important fact to light, that although men can father children well into their golden years, the risk of poor outcome is higher. Couples who are waiting to have children, but not considering the age of dad should rethink their options.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on July 31, 2006 11:29 PM
