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.