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AirTalk

Age of parents linked to increased risk of autism

By AirTalk Staff
Published Feb 9, 2010
A new study says that older women are more likely to have autistic children.
A new study says that older women are more likely to have autistic children.
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Getty Images
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Age of parents linked to increased risk of autism
Older mothers are more likely to have autistic children, a new study says. The journal Autism Research found that women over 40 were 50% more likely to have an autistic child. What about older fathers? Their age seems to play a greater role when mothers are much younger. Women under 25 who had children with men over 40 were twice as likely to have autistic children compared with fathers in their 20s. How should parents assess autism risk? Will older men and women think twice about having children?

Older mothers are more likely to have autistic children, a new study says. The journal Autism Research found that women over 40 were 50% more likely to have an autistic child. What about older fathers? Their age seems to play a greater role when mothers are much younger. Women under 25 who had children with men over 40 were twice as likely to have autistic children compared with fathers in their 20s. How should parents assess autism risk? Will older men and women think twice about having children?

Guest:


Irva Hertz-Piccioto PhD, Professor and Epidemiologist, Department of Public Health Sciences, UC Davis Mind Institute

Dr. Stan Nelson, Professor of human genetics at David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA.

NOTE: Scientists are conducting studies to unravel the genetic component of autism. Interested families can register at IANPROJECT.ORG to participate in a web-based, large-scale genetic study of autism.