Parents’ age could be a reason for the increasing incidence of autism and schizophrenia, study suggests
-Published medical literature has outlined several risk factors for the increasing incidence of disorders such as schizophrenia and autism.
-In furtherance to these studies, a recent research conducted by the researchers of Copenhagen Center for Social Evolution, suggested that parents’ age (young/ old) could be a reason for the birth of children with schizophrenia and autism.
-In the study, a sample of about 1.7 million Danish people was considered (of which about 6.5% were diagnosed with autism or schizophrenia).The data included nation-wide autistic and schizophrenic diagnoses (for up to 30 years of age).
-As per the study, individuals aged above average (paternal and maternal age above the average) were at an increased risk of having children with autistic disorder compared to the younger parents. Surprisingly, the younger mothers were at an increased risk of having children with schizophrenia.
-Experts also suggested that dissimilarly aged couples were found to be at an increased risk of having children with mental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
-The study suggested this observation to be directly associated with evolutionary science.
-Findings were published in Evolution, Medicine and Public Health Journal
Source: Evolution, Medicine and Public Health Journal