Comments on: Older Parents, 1st Born Child: Autism More Likely?

By: Caroline Rodgers

Caroline Rodgers — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 14:41:04 +0000

There may be different factors at work for women vs. men in the association between advanced parental age and autism in their children. In the case of women, those over 35 years old usually undergo additional ultrasound scans. Mouse experiments have shown that prenatal ultrasound disrupts neuronal migration, which “wires” the brain. Older first-time mothers would be more likely to undergo prenatal ultrasound scans for many reasons, such as to view follicle development during fertility treatments, to confirm pregnancy at only five or six weeks of gestation, or for genetic testing such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis, all of which may subject the developing embryo to increased risk. Older mothers are also more likely to have assisted reproduction, which is guided by ultrasound. If ultrasound is a factor in causing autism, it would explain why the population of older first-time mothers is more likely to have children with autism than younger mothers.

In the case of men, something as apparently frivolous as the style of underwear favored by a particular age group could be a factor, as it is known that jockey briefs, for instance, damage sperm production by causing the testes to be held so close to the body that they become overheated. Studies that indicate an association do not necessarily prove causation. However, the discovery of an association does indicate where researchers should focus additional attention.

By: Val

Val — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:48:37 +0000

20 to 34 is a huge age gap. Since when is 21 too old to have a first kid.
I don’t think this study means anything.
They just pick ages most people have children.
Maybe they got it wrong and the first born is more likely to be autistic of most age groups.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 02:19:58 +0000

@M, as I read your comment, I kept envisioning the birth of Athena (full grown, fully armored) from Zeus’ head……..

By: Phil Schwarz

Phil Schwarz — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:44:37 +0000

@M: ROFL!

By: Emily

Emily — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 21:54:05 +0000

Had TH when we were both 32. Had Dubya when we were 34. Had our youngest when we were 38. Really, our least “spectrumy” child is the middle one.

By: M

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:52:35 +0000

I also wonder whether or not the age of the baby is a factor.

Most babies? Born at the age of zero. But I have such a terrible sense of direction that I didn’t pop out till the age of 14.

(which was a huge relief for my mother. despite the difficult birth, she was finally able to understand why one diet after another had failed).

Anyway. I just wonder if that’s related to my diagnosis. Hmm. Pondering ensues.

By: Leanne

Leanne — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:16:10 +0000

These studies all end up looking like waffle to me. We’re trying to find these causes to a bunch of symptoms that add up to autism, probably caused by at least half a dozen different things.

Our sample of one; Hubby and I were both under 25 when we had our children and only our second child is Autistic (not our first).