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Advanced maternal age and obstetric morbidity for women giving birth in V ictoria, A ustralia: A population‐based study
Author(s) -
Biro Mary Anne,
Davey MaryAnn,
Carolan Mary,
Kealy Michelle
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.2012.01427.x
Subject(s) - medicine , obstetrics , advanced maternal age , odds ratio , gestational diabetes , odds , pregnancy , population , gestational age , logistic regression , gestation , caesarean section , gynecology , fetus , environmental health , biology , genetics
Background As the proportions of older women giving birth increase, there is a growing body of evidence on the increased risks of poorer maternal and perinatal outcomes for this group. However, the associations are not completely understood. This study aimed to establish the prevalence of selected maternal morbidities and examine whether advanced maternal age is associated with a higher risk of morbidity for women giving birth in V ictoria. Method Data on all births over 20 weeks‧ gestation for 2005 and 2006 were obtained from the V ictorian P erinatal D ata C ollection. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses were undertaken using logistic regression to examine and quantify the association between advanced maternal age (35 years and older) and selected obstetric morbidities and complications. Results There was evidence of an association between older maternal age and selected morbidities and complications. Older nulliparous women were at highest odds of gestational diabetes (Adj OR , 1.83; 95% CI , 1.67–2.02), placenta praevia (Adj OR , 2.02; 95% CI , 1.68–2.44), multiple birth (Adj OR , 1.80; 95% CI , 1.58–2.06) and caesarean delivery (Adj OR , 1.93; 95% CI , 1.84–2.02). Older multiparous women were at highest odds of gestational diabetes (Adj OR , 2.01; 95% CI , 1.88–2.15) and placenta praevia (Adj OR , 2.11; 95% CI , 1.83–2.44). Conclusions Older women giving birth in V ictoria are at an increased risk of a range of obstetric morbidities. Delayed childbearing for an increasing number of women has societal and public health ramifications and will potentially place greater demand on healthcare services.