Association of ADHD symptoms severity with higher paternal and lower maternal age of a clinical sample of children.

This study examines the association of fatherʹs and motherʹs age with the severity of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Participants are 470 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosed according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Moreover, parents reported the severity of ADHD symptoms through completing ADHD checklist. Motherʹs and fatherʹs age was associated with the score of hyperactivity/impulsivity. Lower fatherʹs age and advanced maternal age are associated with higher severity of hyperactivity/impulsivity in children and adolescents with ADHD. None of mothersʹ and fathersʹ age is associated with ADHD inattentiveness severity in children. Maternal and paternal education levels are not associated with ADHD severity. Older mothers and younger fathers have ADHD children with higher hyperactivity/impulsivity severity. It should be investigated whether the fatherʹs and motherʹs age are risk factors for ADHD.