Mother's age linked to child's autism risk
Mothers over 40 are more likely to have a child with autism, but the age of fathers often has little to do the chances of a child having the developmental disorder, new research has found.
For years, researchers have known that the age of the parents affects a child's risk for having autism. But experts couldn't say for sure whether the risk was higher for older mothers, older fathers or both.
In fact, some studies suggested that it was the father's age that increased the autism risk. The new study, published in the journal Autism Research, found the father's age increased the chance of a child having autism only when the dad is over 40 and the mother is under 30.
The risk of having a child with autism increased by 18 percent for every five-year increase in the mother's age, according to the study which examined nearly 5 million births in California in the 1990s. A 40-year-old woman's risk of having a child diagnosed with autism was 50 percent greater than that of a woman between 25 and 29 years old.
Researchers at UC Davis Health System compared the 4.9 million electronic birth records, noting the parents ages, with cases of autism diagnosed before age 6 as classified by the California's department of developmental services.
Other experts warned that the increased risks are small, even for older mothers. The overal low risk for autism "may be the most important take-away message," Maureen Durkin, a University of Wisconsin researcher told the AP.
While interesting, the new study tells us nothing why the risk of autism may be linked to a mother's age. The authors say more study is needed to explain the connection, although they have a few theories.
For now, though, add this to the multitude of incremental findings as researchers work to unlock the mysteries of the puzzling disorder, affecting as many as 1 in 100 children.
Comments
Of course the accepted conventional medical explanation up until the 1970s was that autism was caused by "refrigerator mothers"? How rational and compassionate. Of course autism was almost unheard of at that time.
I wonder if older mother's are more likely to vaccinate their children?
Posted by: Philip123 | February 9, 2010 3:53 PM
Anyone serious about preventing birth defects, perhaps including autism, must read Dr. John Cannell's Vitamin D Theory of Autism. The new research of the last 2 years indicates vitamin D deficiency is at the root of many birth issues including premature birth and underweight babies. It is critical that pregnant mothers supplement at least 6000 i.u. of vitamin D3 daily to avoid the unnecessary risks associated with vitamin D deficiency. Anyone not familiar with the specifics needs to investigate vitamin D and start taking it seriously. NOTHING is more important than maintaining at least 50 ng/ml in the blood - year round. Diet can not provide nearly enough D3 to maintain health. Get some sun in midday when the season's right (May-September above Georgia) and supplement when necessary. One can do no harm by maintaining healthy, natural levels of D3(at least 50 ng/ml) and can benefit in a host of ways by being D3 replete.
Note well that older men and women are more likely to be D3 deficient and are so for decades. The possibility of defects in sperm and ovum development cannot be discounted. Note also that the cells responsible for sperm and egg development have vitamin D receptors (VDR) which means they require healthy, natural levels of D3 to function correctly. While it is true every human cell seems to have a VDR very little thought has been given to human reproductive health and vitamin D status.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 9, 2010 6:12 PM