Advanced Maternal Age and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence from a Clinical Study in Sulaimania, Iraq

Introduction:Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with multifactorial etiology. Advanced Maternal Age (AMA), defined as maternal age ≥35 years at childbirth, has been proposed as a potential risk factor for ASD. This study examined the association between AMA and ASD prevalence among children. Materials and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted among 177 mother–child dyads referred to the Committee for Diagnosing Mental Health at Shaheed Hemin Hospital in 2023. ASD diagnoses were established by a multidisciplinary committee consisting of psychiatrists, a pediatric neurologist, a psychologist, and a special education expert, following standardized clinical criteria. Maternal age was categorized as Adolescent (