Paternal and Maternal Age and Their Effects on Adult Offspring Mortality

Ken R. Smith, University of Utah
Geraldine P. Mineau, University of Utah
Cynthia Sahm, The Modellers

This paper assesses the role of paternal and maternal age at conception on the longevity of their offspring. The analysis relies on the Utah Population Database and includes approximately 77,000 offspring. Results indicate a strong adverse effect of parental age at conception on the longevity of offspring, with varying levels of significance based on offspring sex. Male longevity appears less sensitive to late paternal age and more sensitive to late maternal age than female longevity. Female longevity is independent of maternal age at which the mother conceived the target child, as well as the age at which the mother last conceived. These results are somewhat surprising since current theory holds that late, maternal-fertility may be a marker for longevity, a benefit that might be shared with their offspring.