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BACKGROUND Most previous studies on the effect of paternal age have focused on the association of advanced paternal age with congenital anomalies. The objective of this study was to determine whether paternal age is associated with the risk of adverse birth outcomes, independent of maternal confounders. METHODS We carried out a retrospective cohort study of 2 614 966 live singletons born to married, nulliparous women aged 20–29 years between 1995 and 2000 in the USA. Multiple logistic regressions were applied to estimate the independent effect of paternal age on adverse birth outcomes. RESULTS Compared with infants born to fathers aged 20–29 years, infants fathered by teenagers ( CONCLUSIONS Teenage fathers carry an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes that is independent of maternal confounders, whereas advanced paternal age is not an independent risk factor for adverse birth outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Teenage pregnancy may be associated with some forms of congenital anomalies. The objective of this study was to identify the types of congenital anomalies associated with teenage pregnancy. METHODS We carried out a retrospective cohort study of 5 542 861 nulliparous pregnant women younger than 35 years of age with a live singleton birth between 1995 and 2000 in the USA. RESULTS Compared with adult pregnancy (20–34 years old), and after adjustment for confounding variables, teenage pregnancy (13–19 years old) was associated with increased risk of central nervous system anomalies [odds ratio (OR) 1.08; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.16], gastrointestinal anomalies (OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.31, 1.49) and musculoskeletal/integumental anomalies (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.10). The teenage pregnancy associated increase in risk for central nervous system anomalies was mainly attributable to anomalies other than anencephalus, spina bifida/meningocele and hydrocephalus and microcephalus; for gastrointestinal anomalies the risk was mainly attributable to omphalocele/gastroschisis; and for musculoskeletal/integumental anomalies the risk was mainly attributable to cleft lip/palate and polydactyly/syndactyly/adactyly. No increased risk was found for circulatory/respiratory anomalies, urogenital anomalies, or Downs syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Teenage pregnancy increases the risks of congenital anomalies in central nervous, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal/integumental systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]