Safety concerns on pregnancy at Age 35 Years or Older

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 2020, state that the average age of pregnant women in the United States is still rising. Observational studies show that pregnancy in older people is linked to higher chances of unfavourable pregnancy outcomes—for both the mother and the baby.

Several studies have shown that substantial maternal morbidity and mortality disparities among women who are older when they become pregnant. Studies have shown that chronic medical disorders such as obesity, high BMI, hypertension, and diabetes are more prevalent among pregnant women aged 35 years and more. Also risk of risk for developing preeclampsia was found to be high in this age group.

A retrospective cohort analysis involving 34 million deliveries reported that women older than age 35 years were at increased risk of pregnancy-related morbidity compared with those aged 25–29 years.

Another large meta-analysis involving 1,000 patients per study from 10 cohort studies confirmed the pregnancy risks associated with advancing age of the pregnant woman.

The document aims to give evidence-based clinical guidelines for reducing adverse consequences related to pregnancy at an advanced maternal age. It advises comprehensive foetal anatomic ultrasound examination for pregnant women who are 35 years or older because of the higher incidence of aneuploidy and possibly increased risk of congenital abnormalities in group.

This article focuses on and discusses the distinctive characteristics in prenatal treatment for women and all those seeking obstetric care with an expected birth at age 35 or older within the context of standard prenatal care.

(Source: https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Fulltext/2022/08000/Pregnancy_at_Age_35_Years_or_Ol der__ACOG_Obstetric.36.aspx WT.mc_id=HPxADx20100319xMP )