Paternal Age and Fetal Death in the United States: A Machine Learning Analysis

Aim: To examine the effects of paternal age on fetal death rates. Background: Fetal death is a public health concern, and previous research shows that paternal characteristics may influence fetal outcomes. This may include paternal age. Methods: This study examines the relationship between paternal age and fetal death rates in the United States using the CDC dataset "Fetal Deaths, 2014-2022 expanded." Covariates include maternal age, maternal education, WIC participation, and infertility treatment usage. Missing paternal ages were extensive, and were ultimately imputed; this was informed by maternal age and other socioeconomic indicators. Regression analysis was used to draw conclusions. Findings: Results indicate that younger paternal age is associated with higher fetal death rates, while older fathers show lower rates; this is true even after imputation. The informativeness of missing paternal age was also considered, and analysis showed high overlap with young maternal age and positive WIC status. These patterns suggest that observed paternal age effects, including missingness, are likely sociological rather than biological, reflecting the socioeconomic profiles of fathers as related to age.