Impact of maternal age on perinatal results

Abstract

Background/Purpose: In our study, we aimed to evaluate maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies managed by our perinatologists, obstetricians, and pediatricians in 3 different centers over the past five years, by age group. Methods: In this retrospective study, we collected the maternal and neonatal data from the hospital electronic records of 403 adolescents (15-19 years of age), 491 women of advanced age (>40 years of age), and 200 pregnant controls (20-39 years of age) who delivered in our obstetrics units between 2016 and 2021. Results: Obstetric and fetal outcomes affected from women bearing children early or late stages in life. According to our results, rates of one or more parity, cesarean section, gestational hypertension, and acute fetal distress in the women of advanced age were significantly higher than those in the controls (p<0.05). The rates of one or more parity, cesarean section, gestational diabetes and >34 gestational weeks in the adolescents were significantly lower than those in the controls (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results point to better perinatal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies at adolescent and advanced ages. Conditions for health service delivery and awareness of pregnancy among mothers and health workers will contribute to better perinatal outcomes.