Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of twin pregnancies - the role of maternal age

Abstract

Objectives: We aim to study the association of maternal age with maternal and neonatal complications in twin pregnancies.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of dichorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies stratified into three groups according to maternal age ("A" <25, "B" 25-34 and "C" 35-44 years old). Outcome measures included pregnancy, delivery and neonatal complications. A sub-analysis of in vitro fertilization pregnancies only was conducted.

Results: Compared with younger women (groups A [n=65] and B [n=783]), older women [group C (n=392)] demonstrated significantly higher rates of gestational diabetes mellitus (B 6.6% vs. A 0%, p =0.027, C 10.2% vs. B 6.6%, p =0.032), were more likely to undergo cesarean deliveries (C 66.6%, B 57.6%, A 52.3%, p =0.007), and were at increased risk of having more than 20% difference in weight between the twins (C 24.5%, B 17.4%, A 16.9%, p =0.013). Other outcomes, including preeclampsia, did not differ between the groups. A sub-analysis of the in vitro fertilization only pregnancies was performed. Compared with younger women (groups A [n=18] and B [n=388]), older women (group C [n=230]) underwent more cesarean deliveries (p=0.004), and had more than 20% difference in weight between the twins (p<0.004). Other outcomes, including gestational diabetes mellitus rates and preeclampsia, did not differ between the groups.

Conclusions: Women at advanced maternal age with dichorionic twin pregnancies had significantly higher rates of gestational diabetes mellitus, cesarean deliveries and fetal weight discordancy as compared with younger women. In contrast, the incidence of preeclampsia was not affected by maternal age.

Keywords: advanced maternal age; gestational diabetes mellitus; gestational hypertension; in vitro fertilization; multiple gestations.