1. Introduction
Women are postponing motherhood at increasing rates, especially
in developed countries [1,2]. In Spain, the average age of women giving
birth increased from 30.87 years in 2008 to 31.5 years in 2012 [3]. The
reasons for delayed childbearing are an emphasis on career priorities
and increased availability of assisted reproductive technology. These social
trends have resulted in a growing population of women who conceive
after 35 years of age [4]. Pregnancy after 40 years of age is no
longer uncommon. However, the decision to postpone motherhood
has a considerable effect on the public health system because of the
resulting increased maternal and perinatal risks [5,6].
Advanced maternal age has been linked to an increase in concurrent
conditions (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus) and
complications related to pregnancy that affect perinatal outcomes
(e.g., preterm birth, low or very low birth weight, low Apgar scores,
instrument delivery, and cesarean sections) [7,8]. However, the results
published on this subject are contradictory. It is unclear whether
advanced maternal age alone is associated with adverse pregnancy
outcomes.
Given the growing number of women that are delaying pregnancy,
the objective of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that
women ≥40 years of age are more likely to experience adverse pregnancy
outcomes.
5. Conclusion
Maternal age ≥ 40 years was associated with adverse maternal and
perinatal outcomes and increased the risk for cesarean section, IUGR,
and fetal macrosomia.
Author disclosure statement
All authors declare: No competing financial interests exist