Paternal Ages and Genetic Diseases and Congenital Anomalies

Authors

Neda Hamood, University of Central FloridaFollow

Mentor

Dr. Raheleh Ahangari

Abstract

he purpose of this research is to investigate the link between Advanced Paternal Ages (APA) (i.e., APA ≥ 35 years and APA ≥ 50 years) and genetic diseases and congenital anomalies. Currently, the relationship between both APA and genetic diseases and congenital anomalies remains unclear. There is room for improvement, however, to investigate systematically the relationship between specific congenital anomalies in newborns and APA. More recently, the link between APA (as opposed to existing studies analyzing Advanced Maternal Age alone) and genetic diseases has been recognized by researchers, epidemiologists, and various health experts. Thus, this study serves to examine the effect of APA on the likelihood of birth defects using a new dataset intended to discover those relationships. I created three datasets and utilized 12 statistical models to analyze the relationship between Advanced Paternal Ages (APA ≥ 35 years and APA ≥ 50 years, while including Advanced Maternal Age (AMA) [AMA ≥ 35 years]) and reproductive defects. This study focuses on Down syndrome, cleft lip with or without cleft palate, and meningocele/spina bifida, and explores the relationship between both advanced parental ages. I performed the analyses using logistic regression models that provide explanations of the relationship between each birth defect and APA. The results suggest that APA are positively associated with Down syndrome, whereas APA is negatively associated with cleft lip with or without cleft palate.

About the Author

Neda Hamood majored in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Central Florida and graduated in the Spring of 2022. Neda has completed two research projects within the SURE and Honors Undergraduate Thesis programs. In the future, Neda hopes to become a physician while continuing her efforts to foster educational equity among rural communities in the U.S. and India.

Recommended Citation

Hamood, Neda (2023) "Paternal Ages and Genetic Diseases and Congenital Anomalies," The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal: Vol. 15: Iss. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/urj/vol15/iss1/1