Short-term outcomes of very-low-birth-weight infants born to mothers of advanced and very advanced maternal age

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate whether advanced maternal age (35–39 years, AMA)/very advanced maternal age (≥40 years, VAMA) impacts neonatal outcomes of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants.

Methods

Data of VLBW infants admitted to our unit were reviewed. Demographic findings and neonatal outcomes were compared among maternal age [(<35 years, not advanced maternal age, n = 329), AMA (n = 209), and VAMA (n = 43)] groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the associated risk factors for neonatal outcomes.

Result

Mortality and overall morbidities showed no significant intergroup differences, except for massive pulmonary hemorrhage (MPH). Multivariate analysis revealed that AMA/VAMA was not significantly associated with MPH development, while ≥ two doses of surfactant administration was. Higher gestational age and antenatal corticosteroid administration were protective.

Conclusion

AMA/VAMA is not associated with neonatal mortality and morbidities. Since the proportion of AMA/VAMA mothers is expected to increase, perinatal medicine practitioners should focus on approaches before and immediately after birth of such infants.

Keywords:

• Advanced maternal age
• neonatal intensive care unit
• preterm infant
• very-low-birth-weight infant
• outcome

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Availability of data

Data is available only upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.