Paternal age, paternal presence and children's health: an observational study

• Main Authors: Julian Gardiner (Author), Alastair G. Sutcliffe (Author), Edward Melhuish (Author), Jacqueline Barnes (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2015-02-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

<p>In an observational study of 31,257 children we investigated the effects of paternal age at the time of the child's birth, paternal absence and non-biological fathers on children's health. Results are per 5 year change in paternal age. Older fathers were associated with lower rates of unintentional injuries, odds ratio (OR)=0.966, P=0.0027. There was a quadratic association between paternal age and risk of hospital admission, <span style="font-size: 9.000000pt; font-family: 'Symbol';">β</span>=0.0121, P=0.0109, with minimum risk at paternal age 37.7. Absent fathers were associated with increased risk of hospital admission, OR=1.19, P<10-3, lower rates of complete immunizations to 9 months, OR=0.562, P<10-3, higher Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) difficulties scores: <span style="font-size: 9.000000pt; font-family: 'Symbol';">β</span>=0.304, P=0.0024 (3 year olds), <span style="font-size: 9.000000pt; font-family: 'Symbol';">β</span>>=0.697, P<10-3 (5 year olds). Non-biological fathers were associated with increased risk of unintentional injury, OR=1.16, P=0.0319 and hospital admission, OR=1.26, P=0.0166; lower rates of complete immunizations to 9 months, OR=0.343, P=0.0309 and higher SDQ difficulties scores: <span style="font-size: 9.000000pt; font-family: 'Symbol';">β</span>=0.908, P<10-3.</p>

Item Description

2036-749X
2036-7503
10.4081/pr.2015.5659