Heart risks in the kids of older mums
The children of older mothers seem to be more susceptible to heart risks later in life, according to new research.
These results could be crucial in designing preventive treatments for children born to such women, the study’s authors say.
The research suggests that intervention strategies should be tailored according to gender, as female children didn’t have the same susceptibility to heart problems or diseased blood vessels as male children.
To investigate the true impact of the age at which a mother gives birth on the health of her offspring, older female rats, which were equivalent to a 35-year-old woman, were mated together with young males.
At four months, their offspring’s blood vessel and heart function were tested.
In future studies, the researchers will look into whether or not the findings can apply to human subjects.
The study’s lead author,
Sandra Davidge, said: “This research is important because it improves our understanding of the impact of giving birth at an older age on the health of offspring in later life.
“We are further analysing the mechanisms that might be contributing to these adverse effects on the children of older mothers, in particular focusing on the role of placental function.”