More and more men and women, especially those in the educated middle class, are having children later in life – by choice and by necessity. Modern women now face similar educational and career pressures as their male counterparts. They marry and start families later than their mothers and grandmothers did. Older women are more likely to marry men in their same age group or older. So the average age of parents of both genders is going up.
Biological evolution may not be in step with our cultural preferences. Pregnancies after the age of thirty are known to be associated with certain risks. Although some birth defects and chromosomal conditions like Down syndrome are known to occur at a higher frequency with increased age of the mother, on the whole, a late pregnancy poses more problems for the mother’s health than to the baby’s. An older woman faces increased risks of complications during pregancy, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Chances of a pregnancy in late age ending in a miscarriage are also considerably higher. But after live birth, there is not a significant difference in the health of the baby of an older woman and that of a younger one. However as far as women are concerned, mother nature firmly shuts the door on their ability to give birth (naturally or with physicians’ involvement) after a certain age. There is no such upper limit for men.
Through all of history men have fathered children at an advanced age. Older celebrity fathers like Anthony Quinn, Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty, David Letterman and Tony Randall (who had his first child at 77), make news because of exceptionally belated parenthood. Much more common are men who become fathers in their thirties and forties. That does not appear "old" in the present social context but biologically these fathers may not be in the prime of their reproductive age. Late fatherhood has been associated with increased occurance of some genetic disorders. The September issue of Archives of General Psychiatry (Part of JAMA – Journal of American Medical Association) reports that there may be a link between autism and the age of fathers. (No correlation was found between the age of the mother and autism).
"Children of men age 40 and older have a significantly increased risk of having autism spectrum disorders compared with those whose fathers are younger than 30 years, according to an article in the September issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Autism is characterized by social and language abnormalities and repetitive patterns of behavior, according to background information in the article. Autism and related conditions, known collectively as autism spectrum disorders, have become increasingly common, affecting 50 in every 10,000 children as compared with five in 10,000 two decades ago. This increase is partially due to higher levels of awareness and changes in diagnosis processes, but could also reflect an increase in incidence of autism, according to the authors. Older parental age has previously been linked to abnormalities in the brain development of children; however, few studies have effectively examined the effect of mothers’ and especially fathers’ ages on autism.
The authors discuss several possible genetic mechanisms for the paternal age effect, including spontaneous mutations in sperm-producing cells or alterations in genetic "imprinting," which affects gene expression. "It is important to keep in mind, however, that age at paternity is influenced by the sociocultural environment and varies across societies and over time," they continue. "In a given population, a change in the sociocultural environment could produce a change in paternal age at birth. In theory, it could thereby lead to a change in the incidence of genetic causes of autism."
"Although further work is necessary to confirm this interpretation, we believe that our study provides the first convincing evidence that advanced paternal age is a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder," they conclude."
More on the same topic from The Washington Post.
Accidental Blogger 
9 responses to “Autism and Older Fathers”
I have to admit to some schadenfreude when I first came across this research– there’s one in the eye of the old goats who posit justifications supposedly rooted in evolutionary biology for Heff-style April-December relationships.
That said, the research definitely raises some questions (which it may answer– I haven’t read the original Israeli study). I’d like to know more about the parents surveyed, for one thing. I’ve come across accounts, both among psychologists/ MDs I work with, and in the popular press (http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101020506/scautism.html), suggesting that the increase in autism correlates to an increase in people with autistic spectrum symptoms finding niches in which to be successful, and having children of their own, who have an increased predeliction for full-blown autism: the “geek syndrome” theory. I wonder whether, in turn, individuals having children after age 30 are disproportionately scientists and other professionals in fields in which Autistic spectrum symptoms are less isolating; or, are just more likely to be socialy awkward people (again, possibly on the autistic spectrum) who come into their own and marry late? Just a thought.
Another thought: Even if it’s true that younger parents have healthier babies, I wonder how much our culture or choices ought to be dictated by biology. The onset of menarche has famously declined by about 25% in the past hundred years, from around 16 years of age to just under 12 years of age. And yet, I would say that in many ways, 12 year olds are more immature now, in terms of expectations regarding their responsibility and independence, than they were in the nineteenth century. I’m not certain that just because a 14 year old might be more likely to produce a biologically healthy baby than her ancestor would one hundred years ago, or than her 35 year old contemporary would now, means that it would be a better idea for her to do so. The correlation between sound biology and sound social outcomes seem to me to be more complicated than that.
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Anna:
You made some extremely interesting (and valid) points. The Israeli study is a large one and the correlation between the father’s age and autism is real. However, the common denominator, the age of the father, may be a bit of a red herring for all the reasons you mention. It is indeed possible that the late age of the fathers in the study could be related to social factors affecting their ability to make emotional connections in the first place. It does not definitively show that the same men would not have passed on the autism trait had they fathered the children early. I think the study needs to be more layered.
Unlike Haemophilia, Tay-Sachs disease, Sickle Cell Anaemia, where a single gene can be identified as the cause for the condition, the reason for autism remains elusive so far. Until we know more, it is educated speculation.
You are also right about the wisdom of parenthood at a very early age. Just because the parents are physically vital does not mean that they are emotionally or economically able.
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The mechanism for the increasing cases of autism and schizophrenia with advancing paternal age is the increasing divisions of sperm. Sperm divide many times a year and by age 20 the number of cell divisions of a single sperm is 200 by age 30, 430 and by age 45, 770. Each division results in mutations and they add up. Schizophrenia and autism can be the result of these de novo mutations. 26% of schizophrenia is attributed to advanced paternal age. These effects can multiply from one generation to the next. It is best that the public know about this and that there be public health information on the risks to the child of delaying fatherhood. One might advocate that men freeze semen in their 20’s if they want to have children later. Read James F. Crow’s article The high rate of spontaneous mutations: is it a health risk? PNAS 1994, which is available free on the internet. It is better to be born in a hovel in India than to be born schizophrenic or autistic. Older paternal age is also associated with many other things such as increasing rates of breast cancer, childhood brain cancers, retinoblastoma, a 50% increase in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and many other problems.
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Actually, a mother’s age is starting to become a real concern, as far as having a baby too late, as in over 35, (and especially ages 40s and 50s) A current pregnancy fitness mag (Josie Moran is on the cover)states that older mothers in their 30s and 40s have lived long enough to have the exposure to so many more environmental toxins, and it defintely effects their genes (more than Moms in their 20s). In fact, the story quotes a clinic worker who says they just do not see mothers in their teens/20s bringing in autistic kids, it is always older mothers in their 30s and 40s. It sounds very logical. And Lena Howe’s comment re schizophrenia and autism may be true (father’s late age) yes, however it is not better to be born “in a hovel in India than to be born with schizophrenia and autism..” Lena, if you were informed on the latests meds and treatments for schizophrenia, you’d know that prognosis for schizophrenia is highly promising. Many lead a very ‘normalized’ lifestyle nowadays. However, I agree about autism, seems it is far worse in every way than any mental illness. It cannot be viewed in the same way, in reality, as treatments for severe mental illnesses are highly successful today, and research is always improving in this field. Autism, however, is cause for total doom and gloom, it seems. It is far worse, and you’d think these educated, well-read (old) Moms would at least be aware of the possibilities of having a child with autism today, instead of posing there looking ridiculous like Marcia Cross pregnant with twins , beaming, as if she’s not too old. My God she is OVER 45! All of these women (and husbands) on cellphones, laptops,etc. constantly, radiation from everywhere surrounding their precious fetus, add millions of new environmental toxins, global warming and all of the carbon dioxide in the air, mercury etc…..still no clue?? And we all say “Hmmm what in the world causes autism?!” Very sad situation. At least if one selects to reproduce at an older age, one must at least expect the horrid possibility of autism. :(
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Dear Araxi:
I appreciate your response.
The pharmaceutical companies that make over $14 billion a year tell you that the schizophrenia drugs work, but it is not true. These people lead terrible lives for the most part. It is advertising ! and the only way you could see for yourself is to meet these people and see how they are doing. Don’t believe the drug companies propoganda. They sell these drugs to prisons etc.and hospitals and make a mint. It would be good if they advertized the connection between paternal age and these brain disorders.
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Lena:
I appreciate your and Araxi’s input in the matter of autism, schizophrenia and parental age. Yes, the theory about cell division and increased mutations resulting in higher rate of mistakes have been implicated in both disorders. Perhaps these studies ought to be made more public and physicians advising older parents ought to be cognizant of the risks. Encouraging adoption as a means of starting a family late in life is not such a bad idea.
However, we cannot make harsh value judgement on people’s decisions. In that case, we should also question fertility drugs and in-vitro fertilization which often result in multiple premature births resulting in babies born with congenital conditions with life long implications. I know you meant well and you feel passionately about this issue. But I would hesitate in comparing the sufferings caused by a neurological disorder with the misery of being born in a hovel in India. It is a bit of an apples and oranges issue. Children’s sufferings whether due to disease or deprivation, should make us equally sad.
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Dear Ruchira Paul,
Yes, you are certainly right. All children’s suffering is very, very sad. What I meant was if you were born very, very poor, but capable of love and normal development you would be better off. It is the neurological abnormality that can’t be changed by anything that is so especially tragic to me.
Yes, IVF and other fertility treatments are associated with a higher risk of autism, mental retardation and seizures, etc. as reported today in a study by Professor Mary Croughan, who led a University of California study of 4,000 women and their children. It was reported on at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine meeting. All of this information should be made more public. I believe.
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Thanks Lena, for your clarification.
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To Lena Howe,
Without sounding rude, I must tell you that your antiquated, moronic OPINION about psych drugs sounds a lot like Tom Cruise! Who the hell are you to say schizophrenics “lead terrible lives…” and the meds don’t work? I DO KNOW several fabulous people with schizophrenia and they are on the gold standard of meds ,Clozaril. THEY FUNCTION, LEAD NEARL-‘NORMAL’ LIVES AND WORK. OMG you sound like a nut…get informed before you state things that people would only state 30 years ago. Do you even realize how many successful functioning people all over, including NYC and LA who suffer with bipolar yet lead great lives? From Ted Turner to Jane Pauley. Anyway, what I know, I know. You sound very anti-meds which is scary. BTW autism is the epidemic now that is the doom and gloom thing, sadly enough. I know nobody personally, thank God, who has it, but I do know that these kids and their families must be beside themselves , living with such an isolating, hopeless, severe disorder…what a nightmare. Trust me, if I had to choose? Schizophrenia (with its’ excellent advances!) anyday, over autism. My heart goes out to all the millions of families who face the dreaded hopeless diagnosis of autism. Mental retardation (which most cases of autism do include…the few very mild cases may not, who knows)is a horrible, hopeless situation that must be unbearable for parents to accept and deal with. God bless them all. And Lena Howe, please do some research on mental illnesses, you’d be surprised…your successful neighbor may be taking his nightly mix of meds as we speak. Long live research and advances in mental illnesses:) Lena, if you had a heart problem or diabetes, let me ask you, would you take your meds???? Or would you say oh those damned drug companies! THINK before you write.
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