Autism News

Grandparent ages at childbirth linked to autism risk across generations, with racial differences

A California multigenerational study found that the ages of maternal grandparents when they had their child are linked to autism risk in their grandchildren, with distinct racial/ethnic patterns: a U-shaped increase in risk for White families (young and old grandparents both associated with higher odds) and varying patterns for Hispanic, Asian Pacific Islander, and Black families. The analysis used birth records of more than 1.7 million mother–child pairs (2001–2019) and nearly 28,000 autism cases, linking grandparent ages to grandchild outcomes. Authors note limitations including focus on the maternal line and a lack of data on lifestyle factors or paternal grandparents, calling for broader, more detailed future research.