Maternal Age and Nonchromosomal Congenital Anomalies: Understanding the Risks

Nonchromosomal congenital anomalies (NCAs) are more common in pregnant women who are either very young or of advanced maternal age (AMA). This finding is from a recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Congenital anomalies occur during fetal development and can lead to significant health issues for infants. They are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, impacting millions of lives worldwide.

Previous studies have shown a link between maternal age and congenital anomalies, particularly chromosomal abnormalities in women aged 35 and older. However, information on nonchromosomal anomalies is limited.

To explore this issue, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. They reviewed data from MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Embase, focusing on studies that reported specific data on NCAs across different maternal age groups.

The analysis included 72 studies from various regions, including the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. It found that mothers aged over 35 years had an increased risk of NCAs, with relative risks of 1.31 for those over 35 and 1.44 for those over 40.

The study did not find any link between maternal age and congenital nervous system malformations. However, women over 40 had a heightened risk of diseases affecting the circulatory system, with a relative risk of 1.94. For very young mothers under 20 years, the risk was lower, at 0.87.

Moreover, AMA was associated with a greater risk of cleft lip and cleft palate. The relative risk for patients over 40 years was 1.57 for cleft lip, while for cleft palate, it was 1.78 for those over 35 and 1.77 for those over 40. The risk of digestive system anomalies was highest for mothers over 40, with a relative risk of 2.16.

These findings underline the importance of monitoring and potentially screening for NCAs in mothers at higher risk. As maternal age increases, so does the potential for congenital anomalies, highlighting the need for careful prenatal care.

References

1. Pethő B, Váncsa S, Váradi A, et al. Very young and advanced maternal age strongly elevates the occurrence of nonchromosomal congenital anomalies: a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2024;231(5):490-500.
2. Murray CJ, Vos T, Lozano R, et al. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for 291 diseases and injuries in 21 regions, 1990-2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. Lancet. 2012;380(9859):2197-223.