Study links mother's age to child's risk of autism

Moms over 40 are nearly twice as likely to have a child with autism, according to the analysis of California births. The study finds that in most cases, the father's age plays little role.

Women who give birth after age 40 are nearly twice as likely to have a child with autism as those under 25, but it is unlikely that delayed parenthood plays a big role in the current autism epidemic, California researchers reported Monday.