Risk was highest in firstborn children and decreased progressively with higher birth order. Therefore a 45 year old mother was more than three times likely to have a child who developed the disease, than a 20 year old mother. In other words, there is still an increased risk for children born to older mothers, but the risk is greatest for the first-born. Risks increase the older the mother is at the time of birth. Higher maternal age at birth is associated with a younger onset of type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes.
Firstborn children are at greater risk than subsequent ones.
Despite how it might seem upon reading, it is important to recognise that this study indicates only a very minor increase in risk to the offspring of older parents of developing type 1 diabetes. Plus Limited 1998-2001. All Rights Reserved.