[Advanced maternal age as a risk factor for adverse perinatal outcomes]

Abstract

This study finds a gradual increase in women's age at first pregnancy, a situation that has been associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal and postpartum events. While in the mid-1970s there were 1.7 per thousand pregnant nulliparous women between 35 and 39 years old, in 2012 this figure increased to 11 per thousand pregnant women, a six-fold increase. The global prevalence of pregnant women over 35 years of age is estimated at 12.3%. Maternal and perinatal characteristics and outcomes of nulliparous women aged 40 years and older are described and compared with characteristics of nulliparous women younger than 40 years. During the time of said study, approximately 4095 nulliparous female patients who met the inclusion criteria were treated; however, a limitation was found because it was a closed population treated in a highly complex tertiary hospital, the majority with high level of schooling and middle class socioeconomic level. In conclusion, older women constitute a high-risk population whose management and follow-up would require a different approach aimed at improving maternal and postpartum outcomes.