THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MATERNAL AGE AND PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Background: Advanced maternal age (AMA) is increasingly common worldwide and is associated with a higher risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Understanding these risks is important for improving antenatal care and counseling. Objective: To assess the relationship between maternal age and pregnancy complications. Study Design: Case-control study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan. Duration of Study: From 01-10-2024 to 01-04-2025. Methods: A total of 74 pregnant women were included and categorized into two groups: advanced maternal age (≥35 years) and younger controls (18–34 years). Maternal and fetal complications were compared between the two groups, including cesarean section, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, anemia, preterm birth, and fetal distress. Statistical analysis was conducted using appropriate comparative tests, with p < 0.05 as the significance threshold. Results: The mean age of the AMA group was 42.78 ± 3.98 years, compared with 26.14 ± 4.37 years in the control group. The AMA group showed significantly higher rates of cesarean delivery (64.9% vs. 29.7%; p = 0.002), gestational diabetes (37.8% vs. 16.2%; p = 0.03), preeclampsia (48.6% vs. 21.6%; p = 0.01), postpartum hemorrhage (29.7% vs. 10.8%; p = 0.04), preterm birth (24.3% vs. 5.4%; p = 0.02), and fetal distress (32.4% vs. 8.1%; p = 0.009). Conclusion: Advanced maternal age was associated with a significantly increased risk of major maternal and fetal complications, including cesarean section, postpartum hemorrhage, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and fetal distress. These findings highlight the importance of risk stratification and enhanced antenatal surveillance in older pregnant women.