Advanced paternal age is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AbstractBACKGROUNDAlthough spontaneous miscarriage is the most common complication of human pregnancy, potential contributing factors are not fully understood. Advanced maternal age has long been recognised as a major risk factor for miscarriage, being strongly related with fetal chromosomal abnormalities. The relation between paternal age and the risk of miscarriage is less evident, yet it is biologically plausible that an increasing number of genetic and epigenetic sperm abnormalities in older males may contribute to miscarriage. Previous meta-analyses showed associations between advanced paternal age and a broad spectrum of perinatal and paediatric outcomes. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis on paternal age and spontaneous miscarriage.OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALEThe aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effect of paternal age on the risk of spontaneous miscarriage.SEARCH METHODSPubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched to identify relevant studies up to August 2019. The following free text and MeSH terms were used: paternal age, father ’s age, male age, husband’s age, spontaneous abortion, spontaneous miscarriage, abortion, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, fetal loss and fetal death. PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analysis were followed. Original research articles in English language addressing the relation betw een paternal age and spontaneous miscarriage were included. Exclusion criteria were studie...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - Category: OBGYN Source Type: research