MATERNAL AGE, OBSTETRIC COMPLICATIONS, AND THE OUTCOME OF PREGNANCY

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 61  (2) , 210-216
Abstract
Data from 44,386 [human] pregnancies were analyzed to determine if advancing maternal age influences frequency or outcome of antenatal disorders. The perinatal mortality rate progressively increased from 25/1000 at age 17-19 yr to 69/1000 after age 39. Stillbirths accounted for 92% of this increase. Of the increase, 49% was due to congenital malformations and 50% of disorders associated with uteroplacental underperfusion, i.e., abruptio placentae, large placental infarcts and placental growth retardation. Sclerotic lesions in the myometrial arteries are a possible cause of underperfusion because the proportion of arteries with these lesions increased from 11% of age 17-19 yr to 83% after age 39.