Abstract We utilized an updated nationally representative
database to examine associations between maternal
age and prevalence of maternal morbidity during complications
of labor and delivery. We used hospital inpatient
billing data from the 2009 United States Nationwide
Inpatient Sample, part of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization
Project. To determine whether the likelihood that
maternal morbidity during complications of labor and
delivery differed among age groups, separate logistic
regression models were run for each complication. Age
was the main independent variable of interest. In analyses
that controlled for demographics and clinical confounders,
we found that complications with the highest odds among
women, 11–18 years of age, compared to 25–29 year old
women, included preterm delivery, chorioamnionitis,
endometritis, and mild preeclampsia. Pregnant women who
were 15–19 years old had greater odds for severe preeclampsia,
eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, poor fetal
growth, and fetal distress. Pregnant women who were
C35 years old had greater odds for preterm delivery,
hypertension, superimposed preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia,
and decreased risk for chorioamnionitis. Older
women (C40 years old) had increased odds for mild preeclampsia,
fetal distress, and poor fetal growth. Our findings
underscore the need for pregnant women to be aware
of the risks associated with extremes of age so that they can
watch for signs and symptoms of such complications.