Istanbul Gelisim University - Age difference between parents increases the risk of autism

Age difference between parents increases the risk of autism

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevcan Karakoç Demirkaya pointed out that stress, malnutrition and environmental pollution triggered autism. Demirkaya said: “Age difference between parents increases the risk of autism.”

Sorted the proven environmental risk factors associated with autism, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevcan Karakoç Demirkaya stated: “Having siblings with autism, having parents with a history of schizophrenia-like disorder, maternal age over 40 and/or paternal age over 40, very early age of grandfather (mother's father) age, age difference between parents increase the risk of autism.”

THESE INCREASES THE RISK OF AUTISM

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevcan Karakoç Demirkaya, a faculty member of the Department of Psychology at Istanbul Gelisim University, sorted the risk factors of autism as follows:

“In addition, congenital anomalies in the child, staying intensive care in the neonatal period, having a male gender and premature birth, and that the mother's first months of pregnancy being under the threat of threatened abortion, living in the metropolitan, autoimmune events related to immunity in the mother's pregnancy, or deficiencies of folic acid and/or vitamin D, excessive and frequent ultrasound exposure in pregnancy are also risky causes. In other words, stress, malnutrition and environmental pollution may also cause negative effects on the brain development of the unborn baby and trigger autism.”

“SPECIAL DIETS ARE HARMFUL”

Stating that there is no effective method other than special education in the treatment of autism, Demirkaya said: “Methods such as heavy metal removal and various dietary treatments are not beneficial, but rather harmful in children. Special diets are unnecessary and harmful if the child does not have food sensitivity and does not have eating and digestive problems. When we consider our country is immigrant-receiving, not getting vaccinated is harm to our children if the children are not allergic to a previous vaccine.”

“NO MEDICINE FOR THAT”

Emphasizing that there is no exact effective drug treatment on the main symptoms of autism, Demirkaya said: “However, drug treatments are used when the child has additional conditions such as lack of attention, hyberactivity, intense obsessions and repetitive behaviors, ill temper, and anger and sleep problems.”

“TURN OFF THE DEVICES”

Stating that caring and effective parenting is the most protective measure in autism, Demirkaya said: “Establishing a connection with the children from the mother's womb, providing adequate care after delivery, being in constant interaction and communication while caring for them are the first things to do. Children do not know how to come down to earth and keep it alive nowadays. Please turn off the devices. Hide all the devices such as television, tablet, computer and smart phones from our children for the first 3 years. The advertisement of highchair with tablet holder encourages to the wrong parenting model today. Therefore, prevention and early diagnosis are very important. When you consult a child psychiatrist, s/he will give you the necessary guidance.”