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.