Paternal age and twinning in the Jerusalem Perinatal Study
K Kleinhaus1, M C Perrin, O Manor
1Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, NY 10016-6481, United States. Kleink03@nyumc.org
European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology
|September 6, 2008
Summary
Paternal age is linked to twin birth rates, independent of maternal age. Older fathers (25-34 and 35+) had higher odds of twin deliveries, with varying effects on same-sex versus opposite-sex twins.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Human genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Twin studies are crucial for disentangling genetic and environmental influences on various diseases.
- Paternal age is increasingly recognized as a factor in reproductive outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if paternal age influences twin delivery incidence, independent of maternal age.
- To examine if the relationship between paternal age and twin deliveries differs for same-sex versus opposite-sex twins.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of prospective cohort data from 91,253 deliveries in Jerusalem (1964-1976).
- Inclusion of 1115 twin deliveries within the dataset.
- Statistical analysis using General Estimate Equations for unconditional logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Paternal age of 25-34 and 35+ was associated with increased odds ratios (ORs) of 1.3 and 1.5, respectively, for twin deliveries, after controlling for maternal age.
- Paternal age partially explained the effect of maternal age on twin incidence.
- Odds ratios for opposite-sex and male-male twin sets increased with paternal age, while odds ratios for same-sex and female-female twin sets decreased.
Conclusions:
- Paternal age is a significant factor in twin delivery rates.
- The findings underscore the importance of considering both paternal and maternal age in twin studies.
- This research contributes to understanding the etiology of diseases by accounting for paternal age effects in twin data.
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