title: Advanced paternal age: how old is too old?
abstract: Average paternal age in the UK is increasing. The public health implications of this trend have not been widely anticipated or debated. This commentary aims to contribute to such a debate. Accumulated chromosomal aberrations and mutations occurring during the maturation of male germ cells are thought to be responsible for the increased risk of certain conditions with older fathers. Growing evidence shows that the offspring of older fathers have reduced fertility and an increased risk of birth defects, some cancers, and schizophrenia. Adverse health outcomes should be weighed up against advantages for children born to older parents, mindful that these societal advantages are likely to change over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2PR, UK. Issy.Bray@bristol.ac.uk
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bray
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gunnell
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Davey Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology; D004249:DNA Damage; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology; D004739:England; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D010331:Paternal Age; D012307:Risk Factors; D014852:Wales