• Taiwanese study links older paternal age to higher risk of schizophrenia in children due to increased genetic mutations.
• Each year of delayed fatherhood increases a child's new genetic mutations by 1.5 times, affecting schizophrenia onset.
• 30% of the relationship between paternal age and schizophrenia onset is linked to age-related mutations; the other 70% is familial and environmental.

A study conducted by researchers at the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI) and National Taiwan University has found a correlation between older paternal age and an increased risk of schizophrenia in children. The study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, used genome sequencing to demonstrate that men who become fathers later in life are more likely to pass on new genetic mutations that increase the risk of schizophrenia in their children. The research analyzed over 7 million Taiwanese medical records and whole-genome sequencing on Taiwanese families, highlighting the significance of paternal age and the potential for public health policies to encourage childbearing within an optimal age range.

• What: A study revealing that children of older fathers have a higher risk of developing schizophrenia due to an increased number of new genetic mutations passed on by their fathers.
• Who: Researchers at the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI) and National Taiwan University, led by Chen Wei-jen and Wang Shi-heng, along with Taiwanese families participating in the genome sequencing study.
• When: The study was published in Molecular Psychiatry in March 2025. Data on average parental ages in Taiwan spans from 1991 to 2023. The news conference was held on Monday, May 5, 2025.
• Where: The research was conducted in Taiwan, with data collected from Taiwanese medical records and families.

The study provides significant insights into the correlation between paternal age and the risk of schizophrenia in offspring. The use of genome sequencing strengthens the evidence for a causal relationship, suggesting that age-related mutations play a role in the development of the disorder. While genetic factors account for a portion of the risk, environmental and familial influences also contribute significantly. The research underscores the importance of considering parental age in public health policies and family planning.

while the risks of geriatric pregnancies are widely studied, there has been comparatively little research on how paternal age affects children's health.

The Taiwanese study provides compelling evidence linking older paternal age to an increased risk of schizophrenia in children due to genetic mutations. While the study identifies a significant genetic component, it also acknowledges the influence of familial and environmental factors. The findings highlight the importance of considering parental age in public health policies and family planning, particularly in light of the increasing average age of parents in Taiwan.