Does the very old childbearing increase the possibility of children suffering from congenital diseases?
With the development of society and the improvement of medical conditions, more and more women choose to conceive and have children in the super old age. However, some studies have shown that birth at a very old age may increase the possibility of children suffering from congenital diseases. This article will elaborate on this issue from the aspects of genetic background, pregnancy complications, reproductive system aging and social support.
genetic background
Very old pregnant women usually carry more gene mutations with age. Geneticists have found that the older the child is, the more genetic variations the child carries at birth, which also increases the risk of some congenital diseases. For example, the incidence of Down's syndrome, neurofibromatosis and other diseases in children born to very old pregnant women is high.
In addition, the growth of age will also lead to an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities in children, such as chromosome number abnormalities, structural abnormalities, etc. These abnormalities may lead to physical and intellectual problems such as children's growth retardation and mental retardation.
Recent studies have shown that the father's age is also related to the number of genetic variations and risk of disease in children. Some children suffer from genetic mutations related to their father's age, such as autism and mental illness. Therefore, not only women, but also men may increase the risk of children suffering from congenital diseases.
Pregnancy complications
Women who are very old and pregnant are often accompanied by more pregnancy complications. For example, hypertension, diabetes, placental insufficiency and other problems are more common in very old pregnant women. These complications may lead to fetal dysplasia, premature delivery, stillbirth and other adverse consequences, increasing the risk of children suffering from congenital diseases.
In addition, the aging phenomenon also exists in the eggs and the intrauterine environment of ultra old women, which affects the implantation and development of embryos. This may lead to an increase in chromosomal abnormalities and embryonic development defects, thus increasing the possibility of children suffering from congenital diseases.
Although modern medical technology and management can help some very old pregnant women to pass through pregnancy smoothly, the risk of complications still exists.
Aging of reproductive system
The female reproductive system will decline with age. The number and quality of eggs decreased gradually, and the success rate of egg sperm combination decreased. This may lead to chromosomal abnormalities and genetic diseases. In addition, the aging of endometrium may also affect the implantation and development of embryos, thereby increasing the risk of children suffering from congenital diseases.
The aging of male reproductive system will also affect the health of children. With the increase of age, the quality of male germ cells gradually declined, and the risk of sperm DNA damage increased. This may lead to chromosomal abnormalities and other genetic diseases.
social support
The social support needed by the very old for childbirth also has an important impact on children's health. Older parents may face problems such as insufficient support from their relatives and reduced ability to take care of their children. This may lead to the lack of good care environment and family atmosphere for children, and increase the risk of children suffering from congenital diseases.
In addition, super old childbearing will also exert greater pressure on the family economy. More medical expenses may be needed, and more time and energy may be needed to take care of children. This may affect the family's financial situation, and thus affect the health of children.
Summary
To sum up, birth at an extremely old age may increase the possibility of children suffering from congenital diseases. Genetic background, pregnancy complications, aging of reproductive system, social support and other factors may have an impact on children's health. Therefore, for women and men who have given birth at a very old age, they should fully understand and assess the related risks, and make decisions under the guidance of doctors.
