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Older dads: Do you worry your age will affect your child?

Print | Comments () Posted by Kristi Palma June 12, 2012 08:09 AM

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It looks like there may be some good news for older dads.
A new study says your kids and even grandkids may get a health benefit from your older age, according to this Associated Press story.
It has to do with telomeres, which are tips on the ends of chromosomes. Apparently, the older a man is when he becomes a father, the longer the telomeres in his children and even grandchildren. That's good news because researchers think telomeres may be involved in things like longevity and cancer.
However, some experts still say older men should approach fatherhood with caution because older fathers tend to pass on to children more potentially harmful genetic mutations.
If you are an older father, do you worry your age will affect your child's health?

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Kristi Palma, Boston.com Moms producer, is the mom of a kindergartner and a preschooler. She is a writer who enjoys cooking her grandmother's Italian recipes (when her son isn't launching paper airplanes into them). Follow her on Twitter @kristipalma.

Jennifer Clark Estes is a teacher, writer, blogger, and the mother of four young children. In her free time, she blogs at A Mom's World, plays with the kids (or chauffeurs them around), and is desperately seeking a quiet spot so she can read a book. Follow her on Twitter @JenniferCEstes.