Short-term outcomes of very-low-birth-weight infants born to mothers of advanced and very advanced maternal age.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether advanced maternal age (35-39 years, AMA)/very advanced maternal age (≥40 years, VAMA) impacts neonatal outcomes of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants.

METHODS: Data of VLBW infants admitted to our unit were reviewed. Demographic findings and neonatal outcomes were compared among maternal age [(<35 years, not advanced maternal age, n  = 329), AMA ( n  = 209), and VAMA ( n  = 43)] groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the associated risk factors for neonatal outcomes.

RESULT: Mortality and overall morbidities showed no significant intergroup differences, except for massive pulmonary hemorrhage (MPH). Multivariate analysis revealed that AMA/VAMA was not significantly associated with MPH development, while ≥ two doses of surfactant administration was. Higher gestational age and antenatal corticosteroid administration were protective.

CONCLUSION: AMA/VAMA is not associated with neonatal mortality and morbidities. Since the proportion of AMA/VAMA mothers is expected to increase, perinatal medicine practitioners should focus on approaches before and immediately after birth of such infants.