Surveillance of pregnancy in women of advanced maternal age
Surveillance of pregnancy in women of advanced maternal age
Childbearing at advanced maternal age is becoming increasingly common in high income countries. Furthermore, developments in assisted reproductive technologies, including IVF and egg donation, may contribute to an increasing incidence of pregnancies in women outside of the normal reproductive age. In England and Wales the average age at childbearing has increased steadily since the mid-1970s from 26.4 to 29.5 in 2010, with a corresponding rise in the proportion of women delivering in their 30s and 40s.
Many studies have reported an association between advanced maternal age and adverse maternal and infant outcomes. However, the majority of studies have reported outcomes in women aged =35 years or women aged =40 years. These studies therefore include only a small number of the oldest mothers and have not specifically addressed the risks associated with advanced maternal age.
This study will use the UK Obstetric Surveillance System to describe the epidemiology of pregnancy at advanced maternal age in the UK.
Surveillance of pregnancy in women of advanced maternal age
Childbearing at advanced maternal age is becoming increasingly common in high income countries. Furthermore, developments in assisted reproductive technologies, including IVF and egg donation, may contribute to an increasing incidence of pregnancies in women outside of the normal reproductive age. In England and Wales the average age at childbearing has increased steadily since the mid-1970s from 26.4 to 29.5 in 2010, with a corresponding rise in the proportion of women delivering in their 30s and 40s.
Many studies have reported an association between advanced maternal age and adverse maternal and infant outcomes. However, the majority of studies have reported outcomes in women aged =35 years or women aged =40 years. These studies therefore include only a small number of the oldest mothers and have not specifically addressed the risks associated with advanced maternal age.
This study will use the UK Obstetric Surveillance System to describe the epidemiology of pregnancy at advanced maternal age in the UK.
- NPEU Contact:
- Marian Knight (marian.knight@npeu.ox.ac.uk)