Impact of advanced maternal age on maternal and neonatal outcomes in preterm birth

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of advanced maternal age on the maternal and neonatal outcomes of preterm pregnancies. Material and methods: The characteristics of patients admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University between January 2015 and March, 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between advanced maternal age group (>= 35 years) and younger age group (18-34 years). Statistical analysis was performed by applying the SPSS software. Results: The study population consisted of 986 pregnancies with preterm delivery and 1094 liveborn preterm infants. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that mothers of advanced age were more likely to suffer iatrogenic preterm birth, placenta previa, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus and postpartum hemorrhage, but less likely to suffer multiple gestation. In terms of neonatal outcomes, advanced maternal age was associated with a decreased rate of low birthweight in an adjusted model without multiple gestation. However, with multiple gestation included in the adjusted model, advanced maternal age was only associated with an increased rate of hyperbilirubinemia. Conclusions: Advanced maternal age was a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes including iatrogenic preterm birth, placenta previa, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, postpartum hemorrhage, and a protective factor for multiple gestation. Regarding neonatal outcomes, advanced maternal age was related to a decreased rate of low birth weight or an increased rate of hyperbilirubinemia depending on the adjustment for multiple gestation.

Automated summary

This study investigated the influence of advanced maternal age on the maternal and neonatal outcomes of preterm pregnancies. The results showed that advanced maternal age was associated with a higher risk of complications such as iatrogenic preterm birth, placenta previa, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, and postpartum hemorrhage, but a lower risk of multiple gestation. In terms of neonatal outcomes, the association between advanced maternal age and low birth weight or hyperbilirubinemia varied depending on the adjustment for multiple gestation.