Advanced parental ages and low birth weight in XXXX spectrum disorders--rates and effect on functioning.

@entity1 @entity72 @entity2438
OBJECTIVES: (1) To assess the distribution of parental age and birth weight in a large cohort with @entity72 ( @entity72 ) and to compare them to Israeli national data. (2) To examine possible relationships between these risk factors and functioning. METHODS: The study included 529 @entity1 diagnosed with @entity72 using standardized tests: the @entity2438 Diagnosis Interview-Revised and the @entity2438 Diagnosis Observation Schedule (ADOS). Medical, developmental and familial histories (gender, age, pregnancy and birth information, parental ages) were obtained. @entity2438 severity was assessed using the new ADOS severity scale and adaptive skill using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. RESULTS: Advanced parental age was associated with @entity72 . In the older age range the percentages of mothers (35-44 y) and fathers (30-40 y) were significantly higher in the @entity72 cohort in comparison to the Israeli newborn data. The @entity72 cohort had significantly higher percentages of low birth weight (<2500 g) and very low birth weight (VLBW<1500 g) in comparison to the Israeli newborn data. Of these risk factors, only VLBW was associated with lower adaptive functioning. The group with VLBW had lower scores in daily living, socialization and motor skills in comparison to the >1500 g group. @entity2438 severity was not associated with advanced parental age or VLBW. CONCLUSIONS: The shift in parental age distribution and birth weight in our @entity72 cohort suggests that the increase in @entity72 prevalence in recent years might be associated with novel prenatal insults. An adverse fetal course resulting in VLBW may represent a "second hit" phenomenon, causing a poorer outcome.
