Older dads linked to autism risk

[Posted: Tue 05/09/2006 - www.irishhealth.com]

Men who are aged 40 or older are significantly more likely to father a child with autism compared to younger men, the results of a new study indicate.

A team of researchers studied the data on 130,000 children who were born over a six-year period. In all cases, the ages of the children's parents had been recorded.

Of the children, 110, or just over one in 1,000, were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, which refers to autism and related disorders, such as Asperger's syndrome.

According to the findings, men who were aged 40 or older were 5.75 times more likely to father a child with autism spectrum disorder, compared to men who were under the age of 30.

For men in their 30s meanwhile, the risk increased slightly (1.6 times).

Older maternal age did not appear to increase the risk, however the researchers noted that the study involved very few women over the age of 40.

The researchers suggested that ageing might lead to spontaneous mutations in the sperm-producing cells or 'alterations in genetic imprinting', which is the way in which a gene is expressed.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Archives of General Psychiatry and New Scientist magazine.

Kitty  Posted: 07/09/2006 15:06

I think this is significant from the point of view that so many couples are waiting until middle age before they attempt to concieve.

P(PRafter)  Posted: 07/09/2006 15:07

I found out some years ago that I have "Asperger's Syndrome", but my siblings, who are younger than me seem neurotypical. My father was 48 years old when I was born, so my siblings would seem to be more likely to be on the "autism spectrum" than I, if the above findings are correct. Probably nothing can be inferred from this; 'just thought I'd throw it in anyway. A.S. has given me a great interest in art; it has also given me a dangerous, all-consuming obsession with reactive chemistry. It's part blessing, part curse! 'Any other aspies out there? Thank you.

Mimm  Posted: 13/09/2006 13:37

Hi P, my little boy has been diagnosed recently with Aspergers. His dad was early 40s when he was born. Interestingly enough, he is very similar to myself as a child in so many ways. It was suggested to me that I might also have Aspergers (which would explain a lot of my experiences growing up) My father was around 63 or 64 when I was born and my mum was in her mid 40s.

P(PRafter)  Posted: 14/09/2006 23:16

Hi Mimm, I hope your little boy benefits from the early diagnosis. If you're unsure about yourself there's enough stuff on the net to allow you make a self-diagnosis. I'd heard the term myself many times before looking it up. I expected to find some kind of food allergy; I found instead, a list of the traits associated with AS. I realised they were almost all my traits, apart from the stimming and handflapping. A generous helping will do; finishing the course isn't neccesary, apparently. It seems age may indeed be a factor and a genetic connection is also suspected. If you're definitely Aspie you'll enjoy the bit of research. Let me know how you get on? Happy hunting! Thank you.

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