Children’s Risk of Autism Goes Up With Older Parents

According to a study conducted by Drexel University and Karolinska Institute in Sweden, a parent’s age may affect a child’s risk for autism. This risk is especially heightened if the mother is older. Babies born to mothers 30 years and older produced a greater overall chance of developing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Researchers are searching for what specific biological mechanisms create this increased risk. The study followed over 400, 000 children born in Sweden between 1983 and 2003. The researchers filtered the numbers for other risk factors such as the parent’s psychiatric history. More information can be found at:

http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/04/23/risk-of-child-autism-goes-up-with-older-parents-especially-mothers/68866.html