Paternal age in autism spectrum disorders and ADHD
Lidia Gabis1, Raanan Raz, Yael Kesner-Baruch
1Weinberg Child Development Center, Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center (affiliated with the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel), Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Pediatric Neurology
|September 15, 2010
Summary
Older fathers have a higher likelihood of having children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This association was not observed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Paternal age is increasingly recognized as a potential factor influencing child neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Previous research suggests a link between advanced paternal age and increased risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the paternal age distribution in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) versus attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- To assess the paternal age distribution of children with ASD against the general population and children with ADHD.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patient records from the Weinberg Child Development Center, Israel (1998-2006).
- Comparison of paternal age data for children with ASD (n=268) and ADHD (n=320) against Israeli general population data.
- Statistical analysis to determine significant differences in paternal age distributions.
Main Results:
- Children with ADHD exhibited a paternal age distribution similar to the general Israeli population.
- Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) were significantly more likely to be born to older fathers compared to the general population (P < 0.001).
- Children with ASD were also born to older fathers compared to children with ADHD (P = 0.04).
Conclusions:
- The findings support an association between increased paternal age and the risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
- This association appears specific to ASD and does not extend to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Advanced paternal age is a relevant factor to consider in the etiology of autism spectrum disorders.
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