November 2nd, 2009

When it comes to babies, Dad’s age matters too

By: April Lynch

Baby_father_hands_photo

Any woman who’s considered having children knows that age isn’t on her side. Growing older not only makes it harder to have a baby, but also raises the risk that a baby might be born with a genetic disorder. Now, as it turns out, it’s becoming more clear that a father’s age matters as well.

Researchers have been trying to discover why older fathers, usually men in their 50s or above, are more likely to have children with certain genetic disorders. Now, a team of researchers have found a possible reason — a link between a type of benign testicular tumor and the genes of children born to men with such tumors.

In their findings, published in a recent edition of Nature Genetics, the researchers point to a connection between these tumors and certain rare disorders in children.  The researchers also propose that these tumors might be connected to more common disorders in children as well. This type of testicular tumor becomes more common as men age, and might play a role in shaping a child’s genetic predispositions for a number of different conditions, including some that don’t arise until later in life.  (The Nature Genetics piece is heavy on numbers and short on context — you can also find a more reader-friendly article here.)

As we discuss in Chapter 3 of our book, a number of prenatal genetic tests are now available for older expectant mothers. Dads can undergo carrier testing, but other types of screening remain a ways off.

Categories: Chapter 3: Your Genes, Your Pregnancy, and Your Baby

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"As you read these pages, I hope you will be inspired to explore how you might use genetic information to improve your own health."
- Catherine Wicklund, MS, CGC
President, National Society of Genetic Counselors, 2007
from her foreword to The Genome Book

About the authors

April Lynch is an author whose work focuses on health and genetics. As an award-winning journalist, she directed coverage of science, health, and medicine for The San Jose Mercury News, Silicon Valley's leading newspaper. She has also written for a variety of other organizations, including leading university textbook publisher Pearson Education and genomics firm Navigenics. Her work on the book and this blog reflects her views, and not those of any employer or organization.


Vickie Venne, MS, CGC, is celebrating 30 years as a genetic counselor. She worked in prenatal, pediatric, and laboratory settings before joining the Hunstman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. In addition to caring for patients, she has taught for the California Department of Education and the University of Utah's graduate program in genetic counseling. She has also served as president of the National Society of Genetic Counselors and the local affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Her work on the book and this blog reflects her views, and not those of any employer or organization.

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