Advanced maternal age and risk of non-chromosomal anomalies: data from a tertiary referral hospital in Turkey.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between non-chromosomal fetal anomalies of various organ systems and advanced maternal age.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: This study was conducted in 387 women aged 20-53 years who underwent fetal karyotype testing due to positive prenatal test results or advanced maternal age at the Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital between September 2011 and March 2015. Fetuses with chromosomal anomalies were excluded from the study. The relationship between non-chromosomal anomalies and maternal age of women aged <35 or ≥35 years was studied.

RESULTS

More than 80% (81.7%) of non-chromosomal anomalies were detected in patients aged <35 years, and 18.3% were found in those ≥35 years. There were no statistically significant differences found between the incidence of non-chromosomal anomalies in women aged over 35 years and those under 35 years. When congenital major anomalies were evaluated with respect to various organ systems, the risk of musculo-skeletal system anomalies decreased with advancing maternal age. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the <35 and ≥35-year age groups in the incidence of central nervous system, craniofacial, cardiac, gastrointestinal system, urogenital, respiratory, and limb anomalies.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of non-chromosomal anomalies does not increase in fetuses of pregnant women aged over 35 years, in contrast to chromosomal anomalies.