Older fathers have low-IQ babies

Older fathers have low-IQ babies Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:23:36 GMT

Children fathered by older men are less intelligent and perform worse in brainpower and neurocognitive tests in their early years. Previous studies had linked advanced maternal age to reduced fertility rate, adding that increased paternal age is associated with certain health problems such as an increased risk of birth deformities and neuropsychiatric conditions (schizophrenia, autism and bipolar disorder). These studies had also reported that children born from older mothers score above average in intelligence tests. According to a study published in the PLoS Medicine, increased paternal age lowers the child's cognitive function in abilities such as memory, learning and concentration. These children, however, have a better access to health and educational services. The average score on the Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale is nearly 6 points lower in children born to fathers aged 50 compared to those born to fathers aged 20. Genetic mutation commonly seen in male sperm with aging is believed to be the factor contributing to this problem as well as the higher number of genetic defects in such children. Scientists concluded that the 20s and early 30s are the ideal years for fatherhood. PKH/HGH