Impact of advanced maternal age on the risk of stillbirth

Abstract

Since more women are having pregnancies at an older age, there are growing concerns about their pregnancy outcomes. Previous studies reveal an uncertain relationship between maternal age and stillbirth risk. This retrospective cohort study aimed to test the hypothesis that stillbirth risk increases with increasing maternal age. We analyzed data on 3,549,993 births from the birth cohorts of 1985 to 2000 in Canada and used logistic regression to evaluate the relative risk of stillbirth. A total of 15,905 stillbirths were reported during the study period, giving an overall stillbirth rate of 4.5 per 1,000 births. Stillbirth risk was increased for mothers with advanced age after accounting for the confounders and effect modifiers. The older age effect on stillbirth risk was especially pronounced among nulliparous women. We suggest that careful prenatal surveillance and appropriate obstetrical advice and interventions be provided to women with advanced maternal age at their first delivery.