The effect of parental age on child development at 36 months: Insights from the Japan environment and children's study

Tomofumi Fukuda; Masayuki Shimono; Reiko Suga; Ryota Igarashi; Kiyoshi Yoshino; Yoshihisa Fujino; Mayumi Tsuji; Kazue Ishitsuka; Masafumi Sanefuji; Shouichi Ohga; Koichi Kusuhara; Japan Environment and Children's Study Group

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104741

The effect of parental age on child development at 36 months: Insights from the Japan environment and children's study

Res Dev Disabil. 2024 May 11:150:104741. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104741. Online ahead of print.

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu City, Japan.
² School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu City, Japan; Regional Center for Japan Environment and Children's Study, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu City, Japan. Electronic address: shimono@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp.
³ Regional Center for Japan Environment and Children's Study, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu City, Japan.
⁴ School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu City, Japan; Regional Center for Japan Environment and Children's Study, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu City, Japan.
⁵ Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu City, Japan.
⁶ Departiment of Social Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.
⁷ Research Center for Environment and Developmental Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka City, Japan; Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga City, Japan.
⁸ Research Center for Environment and Developmental Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan; Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka City, Japan.

PMID: 38735246
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104741

Abstract

Background: The impact of parent-childbearing age on child development at 36 months of age is controversial.

Aims: We used data from a large cohort study with multiple imputation and mediation analyses of variables.

Methods and procedures: A total of 72,606 parent-child pairs from the Japan Environment and Children's Study were included in the study. Parents' ages were categorized into five groups. We used five domains of the Japanese translation of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (J-ASQ-3). Scores below the cutoff value at 36 months were defined as developmental delays in each domain. We used three logistic analysis models. In Model 3, we analyzed maternal and paternal age using other variables and covariates.

Outcomes and results: The outcome was a developmental delay in the five domains of J-ASQ-3. In Model 3, ORs for the developmental delay scores regarding parental age were significantly associated with all five domains of J-ASQ-3. The mediation analysis showed a significant mediation interaction effect for mothers but localized for fathers.

Conclusion: Advanced paternal and maternal ages were associated with developmental delay in children. Awareness of the risks of childbearing at an advanced age is crucial.

What's the paper adds: This manuscript used data from a large cohort study with multiple imputation and mediation analyses. With these analyses, we identified the pure effect of advanced parental age on their children's development at 36 months.

Keywords: ASQ-3; Global development delay; Maternal childbearing age; Mediation analysis; Paternal childbearing age.