Abstract:
Background
Advanced maternal age (AMA) has been associated with negative pregnancy outcomes.
Oxidative stress (OS) and defective placental dysfunction are contributing factors. This
study determined the association between AMA and adverse pregnancy outcomes, OS bio-
markers and angiogenic growth mediators (AGMs) in normal pregnancies.
Methods
This prospective cohort study conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) Depart-
ment of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) finally included 175 normal pregnant
women comprising, 58 AMA (35–45 years), 55 (30–34 years) and 62 optimal childbearing
age (20–29 years). Venous blood samples were collected at 28–32 weeks for soluble fms-
like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PIGF), 8-epiprostaglandinF2-α (8-
epi-PGF2α) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assays.
Results
Pregnancies of AMA had a significantly higher levels of sFlt-1, 8-epi-PGF2α and 8-epi-
PGF2α: PIGF ratio but a reduced level of PIGF, TAC and PIGF: sFlt-1 ratio compared to
20–29 years (p<0.0001). A significant negative correlation between AMA and PIGF (r =
-0.294; p = 0.038); TAC (r = -0.215; p = 0.001) and PIGF: sFlt-1 ratio (r = -0.457; p<0.0001)
and a positive correlation with sFlt-1 (r = 0.269; p = 0.017), 8-epiPGF2α (r = 0.277; p =0.029) and 8-epi-PGF2: PIGF ratio (r = 0.461; p<0.0001) levels were observed. The
adjusted odds ratio (aOR), and 95% confidence interval, and p value for the significant inde-
pendent adverse outcomes associated with AMA were emergency caesarean section [21.7
(5.9–121.3), p<00001], elective caesarean section [2.7(0.9–5.8), p = 0.0105], stillbirth [12.6
(1.4–82.1), p<0.0001], post-partum haemorrhage [4.3(1.1–18.5), p = 0.0094], preterm deliv-
ery [8.2(3.5–28.4), p<0.0001], low birth weight babies [9.7(2.8–29.3), p<0.0001], birth
asphyxia [3.8(1.6–12.7), p = 0.0054], Apgar score 7 after 5 min for babies [10.1(4.7–
23.2), p<0.0001], placental abruption [3.5(1.3–8.4), p = 0.0117] and intrauterine growth
restriction (IUGR) [4.6(2.3–12.9), p = 0.0001].
Conclusion
AMA pregnancies correlate with adverse pregnancy outcomes and imbalance in OS bio-
markers and AGMs. It is incumbent on health care givers to provide effective antenatal care
among AMA mothers as early identification of these imbalance and treatment can prevent
adverse pregnancy outcomes.
