Babies Born to Moms Over 35 May Have Lower Risk for Certain Birth Defects

Women in their late 30s and over are often told that the odds of having a baby with a birth defect greatly rises. But a new study is showing that the myth is indeed opposite and that when it comes to certain types of physical abnormalities the risk is many times lower. A study shows that women aged 35 and older face a lower risk of having children with abnormalities known as congenital malformations, or physical defects that are not caused by abnormal chromosomes. This study could be major reassurance to women who are afraid and hesitant of having a baby when they are older. Because the myth is so wide spread and known, many women are even deciding not to have babies at all which could cause major disturbance in our birth rates around the world. The researchers study about 76000 women and found that older mothers, aged 35 and older, were 40% less likely than younger mothers to have a child with one or
more defects known as congenial malformations.

Hearing about this new finding makes me as an male, more confident in not rushing to have a baby. The myth of having increased chances of birth defects is one thing would've made me consider having an baby early depending on the age of my wife. Reading this article has given me major reassurance, as well as many women, the confidence to have babies over 35 years old.

Genetics to Explain High-Functioning Senior Athletes with Hip Abnormalities

Genetics, cartilage type and other factors may be able to explain how senior athletes are high-functioning even though they have one or more hip abnormalities. These abnormalities are usually associated with osteoarthritis, dislocation of the hip (dysplasia), loose hip joint and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) or abnormally shaped hip bones. Researchers evaluated 546 senior athletes (1,087 hips) about the age of 67 for signs of FAI. More than half had signs of FAI and they were most likely to have osteoathritis though 72% showed little to no sign of of OA. The study authors found that either genetics or the patient's type of cartilage plays a role in how well and preserved the hips of high functioning seniors athletes are. I find it incredible that even though they have these different hip abnormalities, they are still able to participate in so many different sports and highly active. From experience, hip problems are not fun at all and they can keep you from running or moving but they keep going and that is amazing to learn.