Maternal age and outcome of preterm infants at discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effect of maternal age on preterm neonates' survival free from major morbidity at discharge from two neonatal intensive care units in Jerusalem, Israel.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of two hospitals from 2009-2010 was performed. Eligible neonates were born at less than 35 weeks of gestation and survived to discharge. Major morbidity included at least one of the following: chronic lung disease, at least grade 3 intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, at least stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity, at least stage 2 necrotizing enterocolitis, or sepsis.

Results: The analysis was performed on 380 neonates of 294 mothers. Mean maternal age was 30.5 years (range, 17-52), mean gestational age was 31.5 weeks (range, 24-34), and mean birth weight was 1705.5 g (range, 460-3150). Of the neonates, 90 (23.7%) had major morbidity, which was associated with lower mean gestational age (29.5 weeks vs 32.3 weeks, P<0.001), birth weight (1326.5g vs 1822.2g, P<0.001), and the need for resuscitation at birth (P<0.001) in comparison with neonates without major morbidity. A comparison of maternal age between the two outcome groups yielded a nonsignificant result. A logistic regression model revealed that maternal age does not contribute significantly to poor neonatal outcomes.

Conclusion: Advanced maternal age was not associated with major morbidity of preterm neonates at discharge from the neonatal intensive care units.

Keywords: Maternal age; Neonatal morbidity; Neonatal outcome; Preterm infants.