New research suggests children born to older mothers are more likely to be healthy and develop language skills faster during their early years.

A study carried out by scientists at University College London's Institute of Child Health and published in the British Medical Journal revealed the offspring of women aged 40 and over are also less inclined to have social and emotional difficulties.

Fewer accidents and hospital admissions, along with a higher likelihood of early immunisations by nine months of age was also noted among children with older mothers.

Almost five per cent of births in Irish maternity hospitals now involve 40-something mothers, with the trend for late childbearing continuing to increase both nationally and across the globe.

The fact older mothers tend to be better educated, have higher incomes and are married were cited as likely factors for the increased language development and better social skills found among children born to those over 40.

Written by Donal Walsh

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