Barnes, Jacqueline, Gardiner, Julian, Sutcliffe, Alastair G and Melhuish, Edward (2015) Paternal age, paternal presence and children’s health: An observational study. Pediatric Reports, 7 (1). ISSN 2036-749X Full text available

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Abstract

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, β=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: β=0.304, P=0.0024 (3 year olds), β>=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: β=0.908, P<10-3.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Families > Father Child Relations
Department/People:	Honorary Staff
URI:	https://repository.tavistockandportman.ac.uk/id/eprint/1194

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