Dad's Linked to Mental Challenges

 In a recent report completed by Dutch researchers, it was discovered that older men in their 40s and 50s could be associated with their child having a mental challenge.  In the past, the men’s ages could be associated with other conditions such as schizophrenia.  This is the first report to associate men’s ages to intellectual challenges among children.

The researchers studied 118 children with an irregular DNA pattern.  They found that in most cases the primary issue was the dad’s sperm.  The report will be highlighted in the Journal of Medical Genetics this month.

 

“We found there was a strong bias towards the father’s DNA,” said Dr. Hehir-Kwa lead researcher of the report.

The severity of the mental challenge differs within each child.  This fact shows the children don’t have the same chromosomal defects.  Meanwhile, older mothers have been linked to conditions such as Down’s syndrome.

Surprising new report: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/new-health/paul-taylor/babies-of-older-fathers-at-higher-risk-of-chromosomal-birth-defects/article2193388/