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Parental Age and the Risk for Alzheimer's Disease in Offspring: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive... 2021Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia worldwide, accounting for 50-75% of all cases. While older maternal and paternal age at childbirth are...
BACKGROUND
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia worldwide, accounting for 50-75% of all cases. While older maternal and paternal age at childbirth are established risk factors for Down syndrome which is associated with later AD, it is still not entirely clear whether parental age is a risk factor for AD. Previous studies have suggested contradictory findings.
OBJECTIVES
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine whether parental (maternal and paternal) age at birth was associated with AD and whether individuals born to younger or older parents were at an increased risk for AD.
METHODS
Two reviewers searched the electronic database of PubMed for relevant studies. Eligibility for the meta-analysis was based on the following criteria: (1) studies involving patients with AD and an adequate control group, (2) case control or cohort studies, (3) studies investigating parental age. All statistical analyses were completed in STATA/IC version 16.
RESULTS
Eleven studies involving 4,371 participants were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Meta-analysis demonstrated no significant association between maternal (weighted mean difference [WMD] 0.49, 95% CI -0.52 to 1.49, = 0.34) and paternal age and AD (WMD 1.00, 95% CI -0.55 to 2.56, = 0.21). Similarly, individuals born to younger (<25 years) or older parents (>35 years) did not demonstrate a differential risk for AD.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, this meta-analysis did not demonstrate an association between parental age and the risk of AD in offspring. These findings should be interpreted with caution given the limited power of the overall meta-analysis and the methodological limitations of the underlying studies as in many cases no adjustment for potential confounders was included.
PubMed: 34178019
DOI: 10.1159/000515523 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Apr 2021There is sufficient meta-analytic evidence that antenatal interventions for women at risk (selective prevention) or for women with severe psychological symptoms... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
There is sufficient meta-analytic evidence that antenatal interventions for women at risk (selective prevention) or for women with severe psychological symptoms (indicated prevention) are effective in reducing postpartum distress. However, women without risk or severe psychological symptoms might also experience distress. This meta-analysis focused on the effectiveness of preventive psychological interventions offered to universal populations of pregnant women on symptoms of depression, anxiety, and general stress. Paternal and infant outcomes were also included.
METHOD
We included 12 universal prevention studies in the meta-analysis, incorporating a total of 2559 pregnant women.
RESULTS
Overall, ten studies included depression as an outcome measure, five studies included stress, and four studies anxiety. There was a moderate effect of preventive interventions implemented during pregnancy on the combined measure of maternal distress (d = .52), on depressive symptoms (d = .50), and on stress (d = .52). The effect on anxiety (d = .30) was smaller. The effects were not associated with intervention timing, intervention type, intervention delivery mode, timing of post-test, and methodological quality. The number of studies including partner and/or infant outcomes was too low to assess their effectiveness.
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis suggests that universal prevention during pregnancy is effective on decreasing symptoms of maternal distress compared to routine care, at least with regard to depression. While promising, the results with regard to anxiety and stress are based on a considerably lower number of studies, and should thus be interpreted with caution. More research is needed on preventing other types of maternal distress beyond depression. Furthermore, there is a lack of research with regard to paternal distress. Also, given the large variety in interventions, more research is needed on which elements of universal prevention work. Finally, as maternal distress symptoms can affect infant development, it is important to investigate whether the positive effects of the preventive interventions extend from mother to infant.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER
International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) registration number: CRD42018098861.
Topics: Anxiety; Depression; Female; Humans; Mothers; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Psychological Distress; Psychosocial Intervention; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Stress, Psychological; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33794828
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-03752-2 -
Developmental Psychobiology Jul 2021With the consolidation of fathers' engagement in caregiving, understanding the neuroendocrine and hormonal mechanisms underlying fatherhood becomes a relevant topic.... (Review)
Review
With the consolidation of fathers' engagement in caregiving, understanding the neuroendocrine and hormonal mechanisms underlying fatherhood becomes a relevant topic. Oxytocin (OT) has been linked with maternal bonding and caregiving, but less is known about the role of OT in human fatherhood and paternal caregiving. A systematic review of methods and findings of previous OT research in human fathers was carried. The literature search on PubMed and Scopus yielded 133 records. Twenty-four studies were included and analyzed. Significant variability emerged in OT methodology, including laboratory tasks, assessment methods, and outcome measures. Fathers' OT levels appear to increase after childbirth. OT was significantly correlated with less hostility and with the quality of paternal physical stimulation in play interactions, but not with paternal sensitivity. Fathers' and children's OT levels were significantly correlated in a limited subset of studies, intriguingly suggesting that cross-generational OT regulation may occur during the early years of life. This study highlights relevant issues and limitations of peripheral OT assessment in human subjects, especially in fathers. Although the study of paternal neuroendocrinology appears promising, coping with these issues requires dedicated efforts and methodological suggestions are provided to guide future advances in this field.
Topics: Child; Fathers; Humans; Male; Object Attachment; Oxytocin; Parenting; Paternal Behavior
PubMed: 33694219
DOI: 10.1002/dev.22116 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2020Parental cognitions may directly and indirectly contribute to infant sleep outcomes. This review provides a systematic up-to-date overview of the associations between...
Parental cognitions may directly and indirectly contribute to infant sleep outcomes. This review provides a systematic up-to-date overview of the associations between parental cognitions and infant sleep problems with special emphasis on temporal relationships and the content of parental cognitions. A systematic literature research in PubMed and Web of Science Core Collection sensu Liberati and PRISMA guidelines was carried out in March 2020 using the search terms (parent AND infant AND sleep problem), including studies with correlational or control group designs investigating associations between parental cognitions and sleep problems in children aged 1-6 years. Twenty-three studies (published from 1985 to 2016) met inclusion criteria, of which 14 reported group differences or associations between parental sleep-related cognitions and child sleep outcomes. Nine papers additionally reported on the role of general parental child-related cognitions not directly pertaining to sleep. Findings from longitudinal studies suggest that parental cognitions often preceded child sleep problems. Cognitions pertaining to difficulties with limit-setting were especially prevalent in parents of poor sleepers and were positively associated with both subjective and objective measures of child sleep outcomes. Parental cognitions appear to play a pivotal role for the development and maintenance of sleep problems in young children, arguing that parents' attitudes and beliefs regarding child sleep inadvertently prompts parental behavior toward adverse sleep in offspring. Associations are however based on maternal reports and small to moderate effect sizes. Thus, additional parental factors such as mental health or self-efficacy, as well as additional offspring factors including temperamental dispositions and regulatory abilities, require consideration in further studies.
PubMed: 33408648
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.554221 -
Human Reproduction Update Nov 2020Information regarding the possible influence of immunosuppressive drugs on male sexual function and reproductive outcomes is scarce. Men diagnosed with immune-mediated...
BACKGROUND
Information regarding the possible influence of immunosuppressive drugs on male sexual function and reproductive outcomes is scarce. Men diagnosed with immune-mediated diseases and a wish to become a father represent an important neglected population since they lack vital information to make balanced decisions about their treatment.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
The aim of this research was to systematically review the literature for the influence of paternal immunosuppressive drug use on many aspects of male sexual health, such as sexual function, fertility, pregnancy outcomes and offspring health outcomes.
SEARCH METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed in the bibliographic databases: Embase (via Elsevier embase.com), MEDLINE ALL via Ovid, Cochrane Central Register of Trials (via Wiley) and Web of Science Core Collection. Additionally, Google Scholar and the Clinical trial registries of Europe and the USA were searched. The databases were searched from inception until 31 August 2019. The searches combined keywords regarding male sexual function and fertility, pregnancy outcomes and offspring health with a list of immunosuppressive drugs. Studies were included if they were published in English and if they included original data on male human exposure to immunosuppressive drugs. A meta-analysis was not possible to perform due to the heterogeneity of the data.
OUTCOMES
A total of 5867 references were identified, amongst which we identified 161 articles fulfilling the eligibility criteria. Amongst these articles, 50 included pregnancy and offspring outcomes and 130 included sexual health outcomes. Except for large Scandinavian cohorts, most of the identified articles included a small number of participants. While a clear negative effect on sperm quality was evident for sulfasalazine and cyclophosphamide, a dubious effect was identified for colchicine, methotrexate and sirolimus. In three articles, exposure to tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors in patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis resulted in improved sperm quality. The information regarding pregnancy and offspring outcomes was scant but no large negative effect associated with paternal immunosuppressive drug exposure was reported.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
Evidence regarding the safety of immunosuppressive drugs in men with a wish to become a father is inconclusive. The lack of standardisation on how to evaluate and report male sexual function, fertility and reproduction as study outcomes in men exposed to immunosuppressive drugs is an important contributor to this result. Future research on this topic is needed and should be preferably done using standardised methods.
Topics: Adult; Female; Fertility; Gonadal Hormones; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Infant, Newborn; Infertility, Male; Male; Paternal Exposure; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Risk Factors; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Young Adult
PubMed: 32743663
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa022 -
European Journal of Obstetrics,... Aug 2020The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the role of paternal sperm exposure before pregnancy on the risk of preeclampsia. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the role of paternal sperm exposure before pregnancy on the risk of preeclampsia.
STUDY DESIGN
The search was conducted using electronic databases from inception of each database through October 2019. Review of articles also included the abstracts of all references retrieved from the search. Only studies evaluating exposure to paternal sperm before pregnancy on the risk of preeclampsia in the subsequent pregnancy were included. Exposure group was defined as significant exposure to paternal sperm, either measured by sexual cohabitation, oral sex habit, or by absence of barrier methods. Control groups was defined as minimal exposure to paternal sperm, either measured by lack of sexual cohabitation or oral sex habit, or by use of barrier methods. Sperm exposure identifiable before pregnancy that may be suspected to modify the risk of preeclampsia was examined. The primary outcome was the incidence of preeclampsia. Subgroup analyses by parity and type of sperm exposure were planned. All analyses were carried out using the random effects model. The pooled results were reported as the OR with 95 % confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was measured using I-squared (Higgins I).
RESULTS
Seven studies including 7125 pregnant women were included in this systematic review. Overall, the incidence of preeclampsia was similar in women with a higher overall sperm exposure compared to controls, 774/5512 (14 %) vs 220/1619 (13.6 %); OR 1.04, 95 % CI 0.88-1.22, respectively. The incidence of preeclampsia was significantly reduced in women with a higher overall sperm exposure when including only nulliparous women, 643/3946 (16.1 %) vs 170/725 (23.4 %); OR 0.63, 95 % CI 0.52 to 0.76. Significant lower rate of preeclampsia was also found for ≥12-month sexual cohabitation, 494/3627 (13.6 %) vs 123/691 (17.8 %); OR 0.73, 95 % CI 0.59-0.90. Significantly higher rate of preeclampsia was reported in women not using barrier methods, 315/1904 (16.5 %) vs 103/962 (10.7 %); OR 1.65, 95 % CI 1.30-2.10.
CONCLUSIONS
Paternal sperm exposure in nulliparous women and sexual cohabitation > 12 months before pregnancy are associated with a decreased risk of preeclampsia.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Parity; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women; Sexual Behavior; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 32544753
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.05.065 -
European Journal of Sport Science Jan 2021Young children appear to spend large portions of their waking time being sedentary. Understanding the correlates of sedentary time would assist in developing effective...
Young children appear to spend large portions of their waking time being sedentary. Understanding the correlates of sedentary time would assist in developing effective interventions among young children. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the current literature on the correlates of objectively measured sedentary time in young children aged 1-5.99y. This review was registered with PROSPERO (registration no. CRD42017081374) and aligned with the PRISMA Statement for systematic reviews. Five electronic databases (MEDline, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, SportDiscus, Scopus) were searched up to October 26, 2017 for studies investigating correlates of sedentary time measured using objective devices. A semiquantitative approach was used to synthesize data. Forty-five studies were retrieved comprising 13,430 participants, and 84 correlates of sedentary time in young children were evaluated. The associations between sex, sleep habits, daily patterns (childcare vs. non-childcare hours), childcare type and sedentary time were indeterminate. Thirty-nine correlates were consistently unrelated. Forty-one potential correlates were examined in too few studies (<4) to make confident conclusions. Parental sedentary behaviour was reported 3 times and maternal sedentary behaviour was reported once. Out of these four studies, three were positively associated with child sedentary time. Despite reviewing 45 studies that evaluated associations for 84 correlates, this review was unable to identify any consistent correlates of sedentary time in young children. Additional research is needed in this area to provide robust evidence of the correlates of sedentary time in young children, particularly for those examined in only a small number of studies.
Topics: Bias; Child Care; Child, Preschool; Environment; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Maternal Behavior; Paternal Behavior; Sedentary Behavior; Sex Factors; Sleep; Time Factors
PubMed: 32154761
DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2020.1741689 -
Journal of Advanced Nursing Jun 2020To examine fathers' experiences and needs associated with mental health during the perinatal period. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIMS
To examine fathers' experiences and needs associated with mental health during the perinatal period.
DESIGN
Qualitative studies were meta-synthesized using the steps outlined by Sandelowski and Barroso.
DATA SOURCES
Six databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus and ProQuest) were searched for qualitative studies from each database's inception to 24 June 2019.
REVIEW METHODS
Studies were critically appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool. Qualitative data were extracted, meta-summarized, then meta-synthesized.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies were included and four themes were identified: (a) negative feelings and psychological difficulties, (b) role strain and role conflict with multiple sources, (c) coping strategies that buffered negative feelings and psychological difficulties and (d) support needs to enhance mental health.
CONCLUSION
Fathers reported poor mental health and expressed needs to enhance their mental health across the perinatal period. Future studies can focus specifically on paternal mental health. The development of theory-guided, family inclusive, technology-based healthcare services are needed to manage mental health. Healthcare providers can promote positive mental health to prepare fathers, increasing their awareness to manage their mental health and to seek timely help.
IMPACT
Problem-focused coping (i.e. support and problem-solving with partners and childcare involvement) helped fathers to buffer their negative feelings and psychological difficulties. Future studies should focus on paternal mental health rather than on general fathering experiences. Healthcare providers should focus on promoting positive mental health and well-being. Policymakers should create awareness on paternal mental health across the perinatal period.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Maternal Behavior; Paternal Behavior; Perinatal Care; Pregnancy; Qualitative Research; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 32043615
DOI: 10.1111/jan.14325 -
Appetite Apr 2020This systematic review will identify and summarize current research concerning the influence of fathers on the feeding behaviors of their children. Outcomes specific to...
INTRODUCTION
This systematic review will identify and summarize current research concerning the influence of fathers on the feeding behaviors of their children. Outcomes specific to child health, development of eating habits, relationships between paternal weight and child weight, and paternal dietary habits and child dietary habits were specifically targeted.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted based on protocols outlined by PRISMA. A database search produced 851 relevant articles to be screened based on pre-determined inclusion criteria. Twenty-three studies met inclusion criteria for full review including two papers based on a single randomized control trial, 3 longitudinal studies, and 18 cross-sectional studies.
RESULTS
The most consistent findings across studies include the following. Father's BMI was positively correlated with child's BMI, father's dietary intake was predictive of child's dietary intake, food availability in the home influenced child intake, father's food parenting style predicted their children's eating behaviors and congruent parenting by mothers and fathers produced the best child food choices.
CONCLUSIONS
A growing body of research indicates that fathers play a key role in influencing child eating behaviors. Further research, including randomized control trials, will help strengthen current conclusions and better inform education and interventions designed for fathers.
Topics: Adult; Child; Child Behavior; Child, Preschool; Father-Child Relations; Fathers; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Male; Parenting; Paternal Behavior
PubMed: 31870933
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2019.104558 -
International Journal of Nursing... Oct 2019Social relationships throughout lifespan are critical for health and wellbeing. Oxytocin, often called the 'hormone of attachment' has been suggested as playing an... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Social relationships throughout lifespan are critical for health and wellbeing. Oxytocin, often called the 'hormone of attachment' has been suggested as playing an important role in early-life nurturing and resulting social bonding. The objective of this paper is to synthesize the associations between oxytocin levels and interactions between infants and parents that may trigger oxytocin release, and in turn facilitate attachments.
METHODS
A comprehensive cross-disciplinary systematic search was completed using electronic databases. The inclusion criteria included studies that focused on mother-infant and father-infant interaction and measured both baseline and post-interaction oxytocin levels.
RESULTS
Seventeen studies were included in the final systematic review. The reviewed studies used mother-infant and/or father-infant play and skin-to-skin contact between maternal-infant and paternal-infant dyads to examine the oxytocin role in early life bonding and parenting processes. Studies showed a positive correlation between parent-infant contact and oxytocin levels in infancy period. Increased maternal oxytocin levels were significantly related to more affectionate contact behaviors in mothers following mother-infant contact, synchrony, and engagement. Meanwhile, increased paternal oxytocin levels were found to be related to more stimulatory contact behaviors in fathers following father-infant contact. Oxytocin levels significantly increased in infants, mothers and fathers during skin-to-skin contact and parents with higher oxytocin levels exhibited more synchrony and responsiveness in their infant interactions.
CONCLUSION
The review suggests that oxytocin plays an important role in the development of attachment between infants and parents through early contact and interaction. The complexities of oxytocinergic mechanisms are rooted in neurobiological, genetic, and social factors.
PubMed: 31728399
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnss.2019.09.009