Impact of parental ages at childbearing on infant morbidity and mortality. An overview of epidemiologic and demographic evidence

After recalling that maternal and paternal fertility, and in particular the first birth, are occurring later and later in life in all developed countries, the paper examines the relation between parental ages at childbearing on the one hand and morbidity and mortality of the child on the other hand, on the basis of an overview of epidemiologic and demographic research. Age of mother at childbearing has an impact on child mortality and morbidity. Similarly, a late paternal age at childbearing, controlling for mother’s age, has a statistically significant impact on neonatal mortality and on late foetal mortality, as well as on the risk for the child of suffering from various congenital anomalies. One still lacks a full understanding of the biological mechanisms involved.