title: The risks associated with pregnancy in women aged 35 years or older.
abstract: The obstetric risks of adverse outcome during pregnancy in women aged > or =35 years were quantified using a retrospective analysis of data from 385 120 singleton pregnancies in the North West Thames Region, UK, between 1988 and 1997. A comparison of pregnancy outcome was made on the basis of maternal age at delivery: 18-34 years (n = 336 462), 35-40 years (n = 41 327) and women aged > 40 years (n = 7331). Women aged <18 years (n = 5246) were excluded from the study. Data are presented as percentages of 18-34 year old women, 35-40 year old and > 40 year old women, with adjusted odds ratios (OR) according to age group. Pregnant women aged 35-40 years were at increased risk of: gestational diabetes, OR = 2.63 [99% confidence interval (CI) 2.40-2.89]; placenta praevia = 1.93 (1.58-2.35); breech presentation = 1.37 (1.28-1.47); operative vaginal delivery = 1.5 (1.43-1.57); elective Caesarean section = 1.77 (1.68-1.87); emergency Caesarean section = 1.59 (1.52-1.67); postpartum haemorrhage = 1.14 (1.09-1.19); delivery before 32 weeks gestation = 1.41 (1.24-1.61); birthweight below the 5th centile = 1.28 (1.20-1. 36); and stillbirth = 1.41 (1.17-1.70). Women aged >40 years had higher OR for the same risks. Pregnant women aged >/=35 years are at increased risk of complications in pregnancy compared with younger women.
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology and Metabolic Medicine (The Mint Wing), ICSM at St Mary's, Department of Pathology, St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London, W2 1NY, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jolly
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sebire
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Regan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008131:London; D008423:Maternal Age; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors