Maternal Age-Associated Congenital Anomalies Among Newborns: A Retrospective Study in Latvia

Irisa Zīle,Anita Villeruša

doi:10.3390/medicina49010006

Abstract

In Latvia, the mean age of women giving birth increased from 27.3 in 2000 to 29.0 years in 2010 during the last 11 years. The aim of this study was to report on major congenital anomalies of newborns at birth by the maternal age and to compare the mean maternal age by different diagnosis subgroups and maternal and neonatal characteristics. A cross-sectional retrospective study with the data from the Medical Birth Register (2000-2010) was carried out. The live birth prevalence rate was calculated for the subgroups of major congenital anomalies per 10 000 live births by the maternal age. The live birth prevalence rate of major congenital anomalies during the period 2000-2010 was 211.4 per 10 000 live births. The prevalence rate increased depending on the maternal age. Congenital heart defects, limb defects, and urinary system anomalies were the most common anomalies. The study results showed an age-related risk of abdominal wall defects, orofacial clefts, and chromosomal anomalies. There were significantly higher proportions of preterm births, newborns with low birth weight, and complications during pregnancy among mothers aged 35 years and more. The data on congenital anomalies from the Latvian Medical Birth Register can be used for the assessment of epidemiology of congenital anomalies. The results of this retrospective study showed a decrease in the live birth prevalence rate of major congenital anomalies despite an increase in the mean age of mothers in Latvia.

Highlights

A birth defect is typically defined as any abnormality affecting the structure or function of the body that is present from birth [1,2,3]
The study results showed an age-related risk of abdominal wall defects, orofacial clefts, and chromosomal anomalies
The data on congenital anomalies from the Latvian Medical Birth Register can be used for the assessment of epidemiology of congenital anomalies

Summary

Introduction

A birth defect is typically defined as any abnormality affecting the structure or function of the body that is present from birth [1,2,3]. An average of 3.3 million children under 5 years of age die from birth defects each year, while an estimated 3.2 million of those who survive may have lifelong disability [1]. In Latvia, an average of 25%–30% of all infant deaths are caused by congenital malformations [4]. In Latvia, the mean age of women giving birth and of primiparas increased from 27.3 to 29.0 years and from 24.4 to 26.4 years, respectively, over the last 11 years (2000 vs 2010) [6]. The statistical data show a slight increase in the proportion of live births in women aged 35 and more (from 12.9% in 2008 to 14.8% in 2010) [4]. The overall prevalence of congenital anomalies at birth in Latvia decreased. Scientific literature has described the effect of the maternal age on the outcome of pregnancy as well as its relationship with newborn’s birth defects

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