Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(12):562-568
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140005161
To verify the existence of associations between different maternal ages and the perinatal outcomes of preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction in the city of São Luís, Maranhão, Northeastern Brazil.
A cross-sectional study using a sample of 5,063 hospital births was conducted in São Luís, from January to December 2010. The participants comprise the birth cohort for the study "Etiological factors of preterm birth and consequences of perinatal factors for infant health: birth cohorts from two Brazilian cities" (BRISA). Frequencies and 95% confidence intervals were used to describe the results. Multiple logistic regression models were applied to assess the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of maternal age associated with the following outcomes: preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction.
The percentage of early teenage pregnancy (12–15 years old) was 2.2%, and of late (16–19 years old) was 16.4%, while pregnancy at an advanced maternal age (>35 years) was 5.9%. Multivariate analyses showed a statistically significant increase in preterm births among females aged 12–15 years old (OR=1.6; p=0.04) compared with those aged 20–35 years. There was also a higher rate in preterm births among females aged 16–19 years old (OR=1.3; p=0.01). Among those with advanced maternal age (>35 years old), the increase in the prevalence of preterm birth had only borderline statistical significance (OR=1.4; p=0.05). There was no statistically significant association between maternal age and increased prevalence of intrauterine growth restriction.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2009;31(7):326-334
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032009000700002
PURPOSE: to analyze the association of the mother's age, the perinatal outcome and the delivery route. METHODS: information about all the patients attended at the Service of Obstetrics and Gynecology of a tertiary university hospital in Maranhão, from July to December 2006, was analyzed. Patients have been allocated in three groups: adolescents (10 to 19 years old), adults (20 to 34 years old), and aged women (>35 years old). Variables studied were: skin color, schooling, marital status, family income, parity, number of appointments during pre-natal care, gestational age at the onset of pre-natal care, delivery route, Apgar index at the fifth minute and birth weight. Data were processed by the Epi-info program, version 3.4.1, and the association among the variables was analyzed by the Odds Ratio (OR) or the cross product ratio, with confidence intervals (CI) of 95%. The significance level was 0.05. RESULTS: among 2,196 patients, 25% of deliveries occurred in adolescents, 69% in adults and 6% in aged women. Among the adolescents, there was higher risk of prematurity (OR=1.46; CI95%=1.14-1.88), and low birth weight (OR=1.47; CI95%=1.13- 1.90), higher incidence of normal delivery as compared to the other groups (65.2%), besides the association with late onset of pre-natal care (OR=1.86; CI95%=1.43-2.43), lower number of appointments (OR=2.03; CI95%=1.57-2.63), and use of abortive procedures at the onset of gestation (OR=2.34; CI95%=1.38-3.98). Among aged women, there was strong association with diabetes mellitus (OR=9.00; CI95%=3.18-25.19), pre-eclampsia (OR=4.38; CI95%=3.02-6.34), premature membrane rupture (OR=5.81; CI95%=3.08-10.89), besides a higher chance of presenting Apgar index lower than seven at the fifth minute (OR=2.90; CI95%=1.37-6.01), and higher ratio of cesarean section (60.3%). CONCLUSIONS: pregnancy in adolescence is associated to late onset of pre-natal care and few appointments along it, use of abortive procedures at the onset of gestation, low schooling, no mates, low birth weight, prematurity, and lower incidence of cephalo pelvic disproportion and pre-eclampsia. Among aged pregnant women, there was association with diabetes, pre-eclampsia, premature membrane rupture, Apgar index lower than seven at the fifth minute and higher ratio of cesarean section.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(9):525-531
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000900006
Purpose: to calculate sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values for multiparameter ultrasound scores for Down's syndrome. Patients and Methods: sensitivity and specificity for Down syndrome were calculated for ultrasound scores in a prospective study of ultrasound signs from 16 to 24 weeks in a high-risk population who denied invasive procedures after genetic counselling. The signs and scores were: femur/foot length < 0,9 (1), nuchal fold > 5 mm (2), pyelocaliceal diameter > 5 mm (1), nasal bones < 6 mm (1), absent or hypoplastic fifth median phalanx (1) and major structural malformations (2). Complete follow-up was obtained in each case. Genetic amniocentesis was proposed in the case of score 2 or more. Results: a total of 963 patients were examined from October 93 to December 97 at a mean gestational age of 19.6 (range 16 -24) weeks. Women's age ranged from 35 to 47 years (mean 38.8) and 18 Down syndrome cases were observed (1.8%). Sensitivity was 94.5% (17/18) for score 1 and 73% (13/18) for score 2 (false positive rate of 9.8% for score 1 and 4.1% for score 2). Individual sign sensitivity and specificity were: femur/foot = 16.7% (3/18) and 96.8% (915/945); nasal bones = 22.2% (4/18) and 92.1% (870/945); nuchal fold = 44.4% (8/18) and 96.5% (912/945); pyelic diameter = 38.9% (7/18) and 94.3% (891/945); absent phalanx = 22.2% (4/18) and 98.5% (912/945); malformation = 22.2% (4/18) and 98.2% (928/945). Conclusions: the overall sensitivity for score 1 was high but false positive rates were also high. For score 2, sensibility was still good (73%) and false positive rate was acceptable (4.1%). Positive and negative predictive values can be calculated for each prevalence (women's age). More cases are needed to reach final conclusions about this screening method (specially in a low-risk population) although this system has been useful for high-risk patients who deny invasive procedures.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(7):389-394
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000700004
Most authors agree on the negative impact of pregnancy in women with advanced maternal age on maternal and perinatal outcome. However, it is not usual to evaluate if some considered risk factors are only confounders because they are present in women over forty years. In order to identify the isolated effect of age on maternal and perinatal outcome of pregnancies in women over forty, 494 pregnancies from this age group were compared to 988 pregnancies among women aged 20 to 29 years, matched by parity. After controlling possible confounding variables through multivariate analysis, advanced maternal age maintained its association with a higher prevalence of hypertension, malpresentation, cesarean section, postpartum hemorrhage, low Apgar score, perinatal death, late fetal death and intrapartum fetal distress. These findings show the need for adequate obstetrical care with special attention to those factors in order to improve maternal and perinatal outcome of pregnancies in women with advanced age.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2004;26(9):697-701
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032004000900004
PURPOSE: to evaluate perinatal results in pregnant women over 35 years old and to check differences between two groups: 35 to 39-year-old women and women older than 40. METHODS: a retrospective survey was made during the period between January/2000 and July/2003, through the analysis of obstetric charts of 3,093 pregnant women who delivered in the "Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual - Francisco Morato de Oliveira", excluding 933 patients. The patients were divided into 3 groups: 18 to 29 years old (control group), 35 to 39 years old, and over 40 years old. Data collection was done with standardized forms, and the data were transferred to an electronic spreadsheet (Excel - Microsoft Office 2000). Statistical analysis was performed using the chi2 test and the Fisher test. The alpha risk was less or equal to 5% and the confidence interval 95%. RESULTS: cesarean section was the most used method not only in the 35 to 39-year-old group (438/792; 55.3%) but also in the group of women over 40 (153/236; 64.8%). The rates of prematurity (39/236; 16.5%), low weight (37/236; 15.7%), and restriction of fetal growth (38/236; 16.1%) were significantly higher in the group of women over 40, when compared to the other groups. Concerning fetal death, a five times higher incidence was observed in the group over 40 years old, as compared to the other groups, a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: the only difference between the 35 to 39-year-old group and the control group was the cesarean section rate. This allows us to suggest a differentiated prenatal attendance for pregnant women over 40.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2004;26(6):477-482
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032004000600009
OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the neonatal morbidity and mortality related to mothers at the age of 35 or older than that. METHODS: in 2377 births in a year, 316 newborns (13.26%) from mothers at the age of 35 or more were selected for the study. These women were compared to pregnant controls aged 20 to 29, randomly selected among the 1170 women in the same age group (49,2%). For the inclusion criteria, pregnancies should have been over 22 weeks and the newborns should have weighted 500g or more at birth. Fourteen twin cases were excluded. To evaluate mortality and morbidity the following variables were considered: Apgar Index, birth weight, newborn health conditions, fetal malformations and neonatal mortality until hospital discharge. RESULTS: when analyzed as a whole, nulliparous and multiparous women showed significantly less favorable perinatal results for the selected group of women at 35 or more years old as compared with pregnant controls, what was not sustained when the nulliparous were excluded. Multiparous at the age of 35 or over presented a higher rate of low Apgar index in the 1st minute: 21.3 and 13.1%: (p<0,0033); small NB for the gestational age: 15.2% and 6.7% (p<0,02); big NB for the gestational age: 5.7 and 0.0% (p<0,02); low weight at birth: 23.8 and 14,5% (p<0,01), and prematurity, 16,7 and 6,7%, (p<0,005). Significant differences were not found for the Apgar index in the 5th minute, fetal malformations, newborn health conditions at hospital discharge and neonatal mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal morbidity increased among pregnant women at the age of 35 and older, but not the neonatal mortality.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(9):631-635
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000900003
PURPOSE: to evaluate maternal age of 40 and older as an independent risk factor for pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). METHOD: we conducted a retrospective cohort study involving analysis of medical records of 2047 women in labor, divided into groups of 298 aged 40 and older and 1749 aged under 40. A multiple logistic regression was done to evaluate the association of maternal age with the occurrence of PIH adjusted by parity, chronic arterial hypertension, diabetes and twin pregnancy. RESULTS: the incidence of PIH in patients aged 40 and over was 22.1% (66/298), higher than in patients aged under 40 (16%, 286/1463). PIH was diagnosed in 27.2% of primiparous (174/640), 47.6% of chronic hypertensive (30/66) and 27.1% of diabetic patients (13/48). Advancing maternal age, primiparity and chronic arterial hypertension were associated with the occurrence of PIH in univariate analysis (OR = 1.46, 2.58 and 4.69, respectively). There was no significant association with diabetes. After the adjustment we observed an increase in the strength of the association between maternal age and PIH (adjusted OR = 1.69), as well as parity and chronic arterial hypertension. CONCLUSION: maternal age of 40 and older was a risk factor for the occurrence of PIH independent of parity, chronic arterial hypertension and diabetes.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2002;24(3):181-185
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032002000300006
Purpose: to investigate the interactions between maternal age and adverse perinatal outcomes in the State of Rio Grande do Norte. Methods: we analyzed official records of 57,088 infants in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, from January 1997 to December 1997. Data were obtained from the Information System of the Health Ministry, Brazil. The sample was divided into three Groups I, II and III according to maternal age range: 10 to 19 years, 20 to 34, and 35 or more, respectively. The main outcome variables were: length of pregnancy, birth weight and mode of delivery. Statistical analysis was performed using chi² test. Results: preterm deliveries were 4.3% in the adolescent group vs 3.7% in Group II (p = 0.0028). The incidence of cesarean section was higher in Group II than in the other Groups (p<0.001). Low birth weight was significantly higher in Groups I (8.4%) and III (8.3%) when compared with Group II (6.5%) (p<0.0001). Conclusions: we found a higher incidence of lower birth weight and preterm delivery in the adolescent group. In women ³35 years old there was a high incidence of low birth weight and macrosomia. Results suggest that cesarean sections are more common in women aged 20-34 years than in adolescent and older mothers.