Obstetric and perinatal outcomes in women ≥40years of age: Associations with fetal growth disorders.
BACKGROUND
Evidence indicates that advanced maternal age is associated with adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pregnancy outcomes in women of advanced maternal age (≥40years).


METHODS
Using a prospective study design, data were collected by the Department of Obstetrics at the San Joan de Deu Hospital of Barcelona during the 1 June 2009 to 31 May 2012 period. The results were compared across three maternal age groups (≥40 [n=654], 35-39 [n=2781], and <35 [n=7893] years).


RESULTS
Of the 11328 births recorded during the study period, pregnancy-related complications were more common in women ≥40years of age. The most common disorder was diabetes (8.5% in the ≥40, 5.3% in the 35-39, and 3.0% in the <35years age groups). The women ≥40years of age also had significantly more premature births (p=0.001) and cesarean sections (17% in the ≥40, 12.5% in the 35-39, and 7.9% in the <35-year age groups; p=0.001). Intrauterine growth retardation was significantly more frequent in women aged ≥40years (17.4% in the ≥40, 15% in the 35-39, and 14.0% in the <35-year age groups; p=0.03). Fetal macrosomia was significantly more common in women ≥40years (15.4% in the ≥40, 12.6% in the 35-39, and 12% in the <35-year age groups; p=0.03).


CONCLUSION
Maternal age ≥40years was associated with poorer obstetric and perinatal outcomes and increased the risks of cesarean section, intrauterine growth retardation, and fetal macrosomia.
['Zapata-Masias|Yesenia|Y|', 'Marqueta|Belén|B|', 'Gómez Roig|M D|MD|', 'Gonzalez-Bosquet|Eduardo|E|']
D000328:Adult D001724:Birth Weight D002585:Cesarean Section D005260:Female D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation D005320:Fetal Macrosomia D006801:Humans D008423:Maternal Age D011247:Pregnancy D011248:Pregnancy Complications D011256:Pregnancy Outcome D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics D047928:Premature Birth D011446:Prospective Studies
Advanced maternal age Cesarean section Age over 40years IUGR and macrosomia Late motherhood Maternal and perinatal morbidity