mmalabanan
If you’re planning to be a father much later in your life, then you might want to consider banking your sperm.
Kids born to fathers over the age of 45 have higher risks for disorders such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), psychosis, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, based on the findings of a study conducted by researchers at Indiana University and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.
Previously, scientists have found some correlation between the paternal age and the child’s cognitive heath and performance. However, the recent study large-scale study has revealed that kids with older fathers have increased risk for developing psychiatric problems, as well higher cases of suicide attempts and drug abuse.
Educational and medical records of more than 2.6 million babies born to 1.4 million men in Sweden were analysed in the study. The researchers made a comparison between those records as well as factors such as educational attainment, and psychiatric disorders among kids born to dads of different ages.
Initially, the researchers found little connection between the father’s age and health and school performance of children considering factors like the parent’s educational attainment and psychiatric illness history.
However, when they tried to make a comparison between health and school performance of children in the same families, the researchers found that there is indeed a strong link between the kid’s mental health and educational performance and the father’s age.
Those with fathers aged 45 and older were found 3.5 times more likely to have autism. The study has found that these children have twice the risk to have suicidal tendencies, psychotic behaviours, as well as drug abuse. Additionally, they are 13 times more likely to have ADHD.
In terms of performance at school, 60% of kids with older fathers have more risk for poor performance at age 15. Meanwhile, 70% of children with older dads spent less than 10 years in formal education.
Still, many experts stressed out that some important factors such diet, birth order and other environmental factors were not considered in the study.
