The impact of advanced maternal age on the outcome of twin pregnancies.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of advanced maternal age on the obstetrics and neonatal outcome of twin pregnancies.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 716 dichorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies delivered at our institute. The study population was divided into two groups: women aged 35-39 years (group A, n = 142) and women aged ≥ 40 years (Group B, n = 48). The control group consisted of women younger than 35 years (group C, n = 516).

RESULTS

The rate of cesarean section (CS) was significantly higher among women older than 35 years compared to the control group (A 76.8% and B 87.5% vs C 65.7%, P = 0.001). Women older than 35 years were also at higher risk for developing hypertensive disorders (A 7.0%, B 14.6%, vs C 5.4%, P = 0.04). On multivariate regression analysis, maternal age was found to be independently associated with a higher rate of CS (odds ratio vs reference group C: group A 1.6, 95% CI 1.08-2.6; group B 3.2, 95% CI 1.3-7.8). There was no difference between the groups in the rate of neonatal complications.

CONCLUSION

Women with twin pregnancy, older than 35 years, have a significantly higher rate of CS and hypertensive disorder. This rate increases with maternal age, with no increased rate of neonatal complications.