First-born children with older mothers and fathers have a greater risk of developing autism than later children of young parents, according to a new study. Funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, looked at the records of 240,000 children born in 1994, identifying 1,251 as having autism. Researchers said that the study provided evidence that maternal and paternal age are associated with autism. Mothers surveyed aged 35 or over had a 30 per cent increased risk of having an autistic child, while the fathers aged over 40 had a 40 per cent higher risk then fathers aged 25 to 29.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here
