Older Moms More Apt to Have Autistic Child

Dad's age didn't matter unless father was older, mom much younger, study found

February 8, 2010 RSS Feed Print

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The findings are not that surprising, given what's known about advancing maternal age on other birth-related conditions, Dawson said. Previous research has shown that older moms are at higher risk of miscarriage or delivering low birth-weight babies, and of having babies with chromosomal aberrations such as Down syndrome and congenital anomalies.

"We've known for a long time that advanced parental age is associated with changes in the DNA, more chromosomal abnormalities and more birth complications," Dawson said. "Still, overall the risk [for any one couple] is small."

More information

Head to Autism Speaks for more on autism.