The effect of advanced maternal age on perinatal outcomes in nulliparous pregnancies.

Objectives: In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of advanced maternal age on perinatal outcomes in nulliparous singleton pregnancy.

Methods: The perinatal outcome data of 11,366 patients who gave birth between 2015 and 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were subgrouped according to their age as control group (C) (20-29 years), late advanced maternal age group (30-34 years), advanced maternal age group (35-39 years), and very advanced maternal age group (≥40 years). Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to test the possible independent role of maternal age as a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Results: Statistically significant difference was observed between the control group and the other groups in terms of preterm delivery, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), small gestational age (SGA), large gestational age (LGA), premature rupture of membranes (PROM), high birth weight (HBW), and perinatal mortality rates (p<0.05). An increased risk of the need for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and perinatal mortality was observed in groups over 35 years old.

Conclusions: Age poses a risk in terms of preterm delivery, preeclampsia, LGA, GDM, and HBW in the groups over 30 years of maternal age. The rates of PROM, NICU, and perinatal mortality increase in addition to those perinatal results in the groups above 35 years of maternal age.