Effect of advanced maternal age on perinatal outcomes in twins: the impact of chorionicity

Abstract

PurposeIn contrast to singletons, twins born to older mothers have lower rates of perinatal mortality than twins born to younger mothers. We examined whether differences in chorionicity could explain this unexpected maternal age effect. MethodsWe used population-based data on twins born to mothers aged 20–29 (n = 3702) and ≥35 years (n = 1880) in the North of England, UK, 1998–2007. We calculated rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to estimate the effect of maternal age; adjusted RRs (ARRs) were estimated by the use of generalized estimating equations for Poisson regression controlling for chorionicity and other confounders. ResultsOlder mothers had a lower proportion of monochorionic twins (17.6% vs. 24.3%, P < .01); lower neonatal (RR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.34–0.95) and perinatal mortality (RR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.53–1.04). Adjustment for chorionicity attenuated these associations (ARR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.35–0.98 and ARR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.57–1.12, respectively) and after further adjustment for additional factors, both associations became nonsignificant. Older mothers had greater rates of small-for-gestational-age infants (ARR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.24–2.05), and cesarean delivery (ARR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.16–1.48). ConclusionsPerinatal death rates were lower but not statistically different for twins born to older versus younger mothers. This association was attenuated by adjustment for chorionicity.