My baby's father is over 40, will he be more prone to birth defects?

Slightly higher risk: There is a link between paternal age and some birth defects but the overall risk is low. The current scientific explanation is that dna changes occur more frequently in sperm as men ages. The risk is low and increases with the age of the man.

Rarely: The biological clock women face is not as harsh on males.The difference comes with how the sperm is generated vs the egg.New sperm come from stem cells & males can produce healthy sperm well into there 60's, while women are born with all the eggs they will ever have.The egg must survive the years of moms toxic exposures & remain good.Any bad sperm don't swim as well as the good ones.

ACMG suggestions:: The american college of medical genetics says there is no standard definition of " advanced paternal age" & risks increase linearly as men age, rather than begin at age 40. They recommend prenatal counseling for couples & fetal ultrasound at 18 weeks, but add that fus will not necessarily show issues of interest. Some studies show increased risk of autistic disorders & single-gene mutations.

Not really : Paternal age of 40 is not link led to genetic abnormalities like maternal age. Maternal age increases risk above 35. For men the risk increases around age 70.