ADHD, autism, schizophrenia more likely in children of older fathers

Older fathers are more likely to have children with psychiatric problems, a new study suggests.

After studying more than 2 million Swedish children, researchers found that fathers over the age of 45 had children more prone to problems such as autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attempted suicide and drug abuse. They were also disposed to problems like poor grades in school and low IQ scores.

Lead researcher Brian D'Onofrio, an associate professor in the department of psychological and brain sciences at Indiana University, clarified that every situation is unique.

"We are not saying that all children born to older fathers will have psychiatric or educational problems," D'Onofrio told HealthDay.

"Rather, the study found that advancing paternal age at childbearing is associated with greater risk for serious problems," he continued. "As such, the study adds to a growing body of research that suggests families, doctors and society as a whole must consider both the pros and cons of delaying childbearing."

Compared to a child born to a 24-year-old father, a child born to a 45-year-old father was twice as likely to have a psychotic disorder, 25 times more likely to have bipolar disorder and about 2.5 times more likely to exhibit suicidal behavior or a drug abuse problem, the authors noted.

Also, children born to 45-year-old fathers were 3.5 times more likely to have autism and 13 times more likely to have ADHD, the study found.

However, while the study identified an association between mental health and older fathers, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

One expert reassures parents that just because the risk is comparatively higher doesn't mean they're likely to have a child with any of the conditions included in the study.

"Parents need to remember that many of the conditions the researchers looked at are very uncommon, and even if you double the risk, the likelihood is you are not going to have a child affected with any of these conditions," said Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York.

"But age is just one of many factors that couples need to consider when planning a family," Adesman concluded.