Management of Pregnancy in Women of Advanced Maternal Age: Improving Outcomes for Mother and Baby

Int J Womens Health. 2021 Aug 10:13:751-759. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S283216. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Pregnancy at advanced maternal age (age >35 years old) is considered a risk factor for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Yet, pregnancies of advanced maternal age have become more prevalent over the last few decades. Possible maternal complications of pregnancy at age 35 or older include increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage, preterm labor, gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-eclampsia, stillbirth, chromosomal abnormalities, and cesarean delivery. Possible adverse fetal outcomes include infants small for gestational age and intrauterine growth restrictions, low Apgar score, admission to neonatal intensive care units, and an autism spectrum disorder. This paper aims to present an up-to-date review of the literature, summarizing the most current studies and implications for the management of pregnancy of advanced maternal age.

Keywords: advanced maternal age; adverse maternal outcome; adverse perinatal outcome.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

This review did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.