Impact of increased paternal age on neonatal outcomes in very-low-birth-weight infants

Abstract

Objective: Despite the trend of increasing paternal age, its impact on neonatal outcomes, particularly in preterm infants, has not been thoroughly investigated. We aimed to evaluate the perinatal characteristics and neonatal outcomes associated with paternal age. Methods: Electronic medical records of very low-birthweight infants admitted to our unit from July 2013 to March 2022 were reviewed. Infants grouped according to paternal age (<35 years, 35–39 years, and ≥40 years) were analyzed for differences in perinatal findings and neonatal outcomes. Results: A total of 637 infants were included (194, 294, and 149 in the <35, 35–39, and ≥40 years groups, respectively). The increase in paternal age paralleled the increase in maternal age. The Z-score of head circumference at birth was significantly different between the groups, showing the lowest median value in the ≥40 years group. Small-for-gestational age (Odds ratio 71.074, p