Early childbirth risks: Women who give birth before age 21 face significantly higher health risks later in life, including type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and obesity, according to a new study. The research found that early childbirth doubles the likelihood of these conditions and makes women four times more likely to develop severe metabolic disorders.
The study, conducted by researchers at The Buck Institute for Research on Ageing, also revealed that girls who enter puberty before the age of 11 experience the same heightened risks. Analysis of nearly 200,000 women from the UK Biobank identified 126 genetic markers linking early puberty and childbirth to accelerated ageing and greater vulnerability to chronic disease.
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“Even though women are routinely asked about their menstrual and childbirth history when they receive medical care, this information has rarely factored into the care they receive outside of obstetrics and gynaecology,” said lead author Dr. Pankaj Kapahi. “These risk factors, whether positive or negative, clearly have a significant influence on various age-related diseases and should be considered in the larger context of overall health.”
Research indicates a genetic connection between later puberty and childbirth and longer lifespans, as well as a lower risk of conditions like diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Body Mass Index (BMI) was highlighted as a critical factor, with early reproduction contributing to higher BMI and, consequently, greater risk of obesity-related illnesses.
“We show that genetic factors favouring early reproduction come with significant cost later in life, including accelerated ageing and disease,” Dr. Kapahi said. “The very factors that enhance survival of offspring may lead to detrimental consequences for the mother.”
(Source: The Buck Institute for Research on Ageing)
