Is it possible for men to have children at an advanced age to cause congenital diseases?
With the development of society, the phenomenon of men having children at an advanced age has gradually increased. However, compared with young fathers, whether having children at an older age will increase the risk of children suffering from congenital diseases has become a concern of many people. This article will discuss this problem from four aspects: genetics, disease risk, child development and medical technology.
Genetic perspective
Whether men's biological clock will affect children's health is one of the focuses of attention. The study found that the quality and quantity of men's sperm decreased with age, which may bring risks to children's genetic genes. The sperm DNA of the elderly father may mutate, which increases the possibility of the child suffering from some genetic diseases.
In addition, male aging is also related to chromosomal abnormalities. In the process of spermatogenesis, chromosome separation may cause problems, leading to sperm abnormalities. Take Paterson syndrome (a disease related to intellectual development) as an example, the risk of older men having children is significantly increased.
Therefore, from the perspective of genetics, there is indeed a risk of children suffering from congenital diseases when men give birth to children at an advanced age.
Disease risk
Older men who have children are also associated with some common disease risks. Research shows that children of older fathers are more likely to suffer from autism, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other neurodevelopmental diseases.
According to the study, the risk of autism of male children over 50 years old is six times that of children under 20 years old. In addition, the risk of schizophrenia of older fathers and children also increased. These diseases not only affect children's physical health, but also have a long-term negative impact on their psychological development and social ability.
The research of Zhengzhou Central Hospital found that the birth of older male children was also related to the increased risk of congenital heart disease. This study further supports the relationship between the birth of children at an advanced age and congenital diseases in men.
Child development
Child development is also a potential risk factor for men to have children at an advanced age. Although children's development is affected by many factors, studies have shown that children of older fathers may have relatively poor cognitive and motor development.
A study by the University of Nottingham Medical Center found that there were significant differences in the intellectual development of children born to older men before school age. Compared with children of young fathers, children of older fathers generally have lower intellectual level. Another American study also found that the children of older fathers had relatively poor academic performance.
Therefore, giving birth to children at an advanced age may have a certain impact on children's development.
Advances in medical technology
Although giving birth to children at an advanced age will increase the risk of children's congenital diseases, advances in medical technology have also brought some relief to these risks. The continuous development of genetic detection technology can help men assess their risk of genetic diseases, and reduce the possibility of children suffering from diseases by selecting healthy embryos.
In addition, assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization also provide a choice for men to have children at an advanced age. Through in vitro fertilization technology, healthy sperm and eggs can be screened for fertilization to reduce the risk of children's disease.
However, although medical technology has made progress, it can not completely eliminate the risks that men may bring about by having children at an advanced age. Therefore, it is still necessary to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before considering the elderly childbearing.
Summary
Having children at an advanced age may increase the risk of children suffering from congenital diseases, which is related to genetics, disease risk, child development, medical technology and other aspects. The decline in the quality and quantity of sperm of elderly fathers may lead to genetic mutations and chromosomal abnormalities, thus increasing the possibility of children suffering from diseases. In addition, children of older fathers are also at greater risk of autism, schizophrenia, congenital heart disease and other diseases. In terms of child development, children of older fathers may have relatively poor intellectual and academic development. However, advances in medical technology offer some possibilities for reducing risks. To sum up, it is necessary for men at an advanced age to consider all factors and weigh the advantages and disadvantages to make a decision.
