Parental age and child growth and development: child health check-up data.

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to determine whether parental age has any influence on child health.

METHODS

Well-baby check-up data at 1 month and at 12 months of age were used. The trends of parental age in association with growth measurements, incidence of physical and developmental abnormalities, occurrence of low birthweight, and maternal history of spontaneous abortion were analyzed.

RESULTS

Associations between increasing paternal age and incidence of psychomotor developmental delay at 12 months, increasing paternal and maternal age and increasing birthweight, and increasing parental age and higher incidence of history of spontaneous abortion were found. The incidence of low-birthweight infants was significantly decreased with increasing paternal age.

CONCLUSIONS

Not only increasing maternal age but also increasing paternal age have influences on child development and growth in the general population.