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Men who become fathers after the age of 40 are significantly more likely to have children with autism, a Nigerian child psychiatrist has warned, citing growing scientific evidence linking advanced paternal age to neurodevelopmental disorders..CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Men who become fathers after the age of 40 are significantly more likely to have children with autism, a Nigerian child psychiatrist has warned, citing growing scientific evidence linking advanced paternal age to neurodevelopmental disorders.
Dr Yetunde Adeniyi, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and director at the Centre for Early Development, Learning and Care (CEFLC), sounded the alarm during an interview with *Tribune Online*, noting a rising global trend in autism diagnoses and the overlooked role of paternal age.
“The age of the father is a risk factor that has been mentioned repeatedly in the scientific world,” said Dr Adeniyi. “Men who are above 40 before having children are more likely to have children with autism compared to those who father a child before 40.”
While maternal health is often the focus of child developmental risks, experts are increasingly turning attention to sperm quality, which declines with age and may lead to genetic mutations that influence autism spectrum disorders.
Autism, according to Dr Adeniyi, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour, typically manifesting in early childhood. She emphasised that the condition is a disorder, not a disease, and that it is neither caused by poor parenting nor spiritual forces, as some in Nigeria wrongly believe.
“The exact cause of autism remains unknown, but several associated risk factors have been identified,” she said. These include family history, environmental toxins, seizures, and prolonged labour during birth, as well as smoking or alcohol use during pregnancy.
Dr Adeniyi warned that autism is becoming more prevalent in Nigeria, not necessarily because of an actual rise in cases but due to better awareness and diagnosis. “We see new autism cases every week. It affects all tribes and all socioeconomic classes,” she noted.
She also called on the Nigerian government to improve support for families dealing with autism, citing the high costs of therapy up to ₦300,000 monthly and the lack of inclusive educational opportunities. Most treatment, she said, is still out-of-pocket and therapy-based, with little to no support from public institutions.
Dr Adeniyi urged men planning families later in life to consider the developmental risks for their children. “Every citizen has the right to make personal choices, but we must also understand the implications for future generations.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
