Older fathers have autistic sons (and daughters)

Older fathers have autistic sons
Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:10:07 GMT


Paternal age has been found to affect the risk of developing poor social skills and mental function as well as autism in male offspring.

According to a study published in Schizophrenia Bulletin, the older a father is, the greater the risk of his son having lower IQ and displaying poor social abilities.

Scientists believe men with poor social skills tend to get married late and often transmit this characteristic to their sons.

Poor social skills are 50 percent more prevalent among boys with fathers who are 45 and older. Schizophrenia is also more frequently reported in these children.

Genetic damage and the accumulation of pollutants absorbed from the environment are the main factors increasing the risk of having autistic children in older parents. Previous studies had reported that the mother's educational level determines the risk of having autistic offspring.

Compared to maternal age, the effects of paternal age on the health of sons are quite small. Pregnancy-induced (gestational) diabetes, low-lying placenta and premature birth as well as an increased risk of Down syndrome are the most common pregnancy complications experienced by older women.