Previous studies reported increased paternal age in families with ASD as compared to general population. Those reports strengthened the genetic theory on the basis of autism pathogenesis and postulated that paternal age could be related to increased rate of spontaneous single gene mutations, however, a comparison to other disabilities was not performed.
Objectives:
To examine the paternal age distribution in families with ASD offspring and to compare it to the distribution of ADHD families and to general population.
Methods:
Interview and chart review of families from clinic visits and database at the Weinberg Developmental Center (WDC). Family histories of children with ASD were compared to an age and gender matched group of ADHD children, all being diagnosed using DSM-4 criteria. Those two groups were compared to family planning information from population survey performed by Health department.
Results:
| Sig.* | Total | 15-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65plus | Paternal Age Class | ||
| P<0.001 | 268 | 8 | 143 | 104 | 11 | 2 | 0 | N | ASD |
|
| 100% | 2.99 | 53.36 | 38.81 | 4.10 | 0.75 | 0.00 | % | |||
| P=0.35 | 320 | 21 | 190 | 98 | 11 | 0 | 0 | N | ADHD |
|
| 100% | 6.56 | 59.38 | 30.63 | 3.44 | 0.00 | 0.00 | % | |||
| 1,187,330 | 110852 | 699572 | 335916 | 36493 | 3724 | 773 | N | Total Population | ||
| 100% | 9.34 | 58.92 | 28.29 | 3.07 | 0.31 | 0.07 | % |
* Significance of the Chi-square test, compared to the total population
Conclusions: Tendency towards a higher paternal age in families with ASD was confirmed by our study. This tendency did not exist in families with ADHD and paternal age in this population was similar to general population.