Old Fathers’ Kids More Prone to Mental Diseases

Experts in genetics do not recommend older men to have children. The fact is that a child born to older dads faces a serious risk of the development of mental disorders like schizophrenia and autism. The Telegraph writes more about this.

How big are the risks of disorders?

If a father is not less than forty-five years old, the risks are one third higher (more precisely – 34%) if compared to the fathers who are 25-29 years old. This statistics is confirmed by a survey which included almost three million children. It can be concluded that not only women have the so-called biological clock. Women reduce ovarian efficiency, and men, in turn, face the increased risk of genetic mutations as they get older.

A baby after forty

Professor John McGrath, head of research, representing the University of Queensland, comments that everyone should understand it is not safe to have a child after forty years. It is known that a man is able to produce sperm during the whole life. Conception can occur, but the health of the unborn child is heavily dependent on how old the father is. But we have to admit: the risks that come from the mother are still much higher.

A second child

It is remarkable that the previous study proved the risks did not become higher if the elderly father already had children, who had been born to him in his youth. Icelandic scientists have found out that the fathers representing the older age group are more often responsible for the child’s genetic mutations and the features, not typical of either of the parents.