Parental age increases autism risk in first born

United States, October 26: A recent study has revealed a strong possibility that parental age is the major predictor of autism, a development disorder. US researchers, analyzing the incidence of autism, observed, that it was three times more prevalent in the first born child, than the later born off-springs of younger parents.

During examination of the records of 240,000 children born in 1994, nearly 1,251 showed symptoms of autism. The data reinforces the claim that parenthood in advanced age is indeed a risk factor in the development of an autistic condition among kids.

Research throws light on the aspect that older parents, though independently, were associated with autism. Mothers above 35 years had a 30 percent risk bearing an autistic child as compared to one in her 20’s. For a father in his forties, the estimated risk was 40 percent higher of inflicting the child with the disorder.

The study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, provided an explanation to the reason behind the increase in the number of children diagnosed with the ailment. The apparent rise in the condition in the western world coincided with the trend towards parents having children at an older age, together with a decline in the size of families.

Another theory propounded is that older parents are more likely to notice development difficulties in their children and seek treatment for a disorder like autism.

Autism, a brain disorder, causes different kinds of abnormalities, including communication problems, social interaction and repetitive pattern of behavior.

It affects an estimated 5 out of every 10,000 people and is more likely to occur in boys than girls.

While the reason for the autism age link is not clear, the researchers speculate that as men age their DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) may lose some ability to repair itself. Spontaneous mutations in sperm carrying cells may be passed on rather than corrected. In older women, age related complications and chromosome alterations may be the possibility.

The researchers say, “The increase in a rise with both maternal and paternal age has potential implications for public health planning and investigations of autism.”

Although further work is necessary to confirm this interpretation, the study provides convincing evidence that paternal age is a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder.