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The development of autism in a child depends on the age of both parents
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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Both maternal and paternal age in the aggregate in the answer for whether the child will suffer from autism, believe scientists from the University of Texas (USA).
The researchers compared 68 pairs living in Jamaica, suitable for age and sex of children. It was found that mothers who had offspring with autism were on average 6 and a half years older than women who gave birth to healthy children. The corresponding age difference in men was 5.9 years.
In previous works, because of the statistical models used, it was difficult for scientists to estimate maternal and paternal age as an aggregate risk factor. The problem was multicollinear (multiple linear dependence of variables), now it was avoided due to the use of more complex statistical models.
The results of the study are published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Autistic spectrum disorders are characterized in behavior and neurological development by disturbances in social interaction and communications, as well as by repetitive, obsessive behavioral acts. These disorders include five diseases: autism (Kanner's syndrome), Asperger's syndrome, children's disintegrative disorder, Rett's syndrome and unspecific pervasive developmental disorder (or atypical autism). According to the most conservative estimates, every hundredth child in the United States suffers from autism spectrum spirits.