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Unmasking Age or Condition? A Retrospective Analysis of Neonatal Outcomes in Advanced Maternal Age Pregnancies
Abstract
Background: As global maternal age rises, the implications of advanced maternal age (AMA, ≥35 years) on neonatal health remain debated. While AMA is historically considered high-risk, whether maternal age per se independently drives neonatal morbidity and mortality remains unclear.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Training and Research Hospital between September 2023 and March 2024. Singleton live births to mothers aged ≥20 years were grouped by age: <35 (control) and ≥35 (AMA). Maternal demographics, obstetric complications, and neonatal outcomes—including low birth weight, prematurity, Apgar scores, NICU admission, early-onset sepsis, and mortality—were compared. Multivariate logistic regression identified independent predictors of adverse neonatal outcomes.
Results: Among 413 mother–infant pairs, AMA mothers exhibited significantly higher gravidity, parity, and neonatal mortality (9.4% vs. 2.3%, p=0.004). However, rates of prematurity, low birth weight, sepsis, and NICU admission were similar between groups. Multivariate analysis revealed maternal age ≥35 as an independent predictor of neonatal mortality (aOR: 18.48, 95% CI: 2.61–130.67, p=0.003), even after controlling for parity, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. Conversely, AMA was not an independent risk factor for other adverse outcomes such as low Apgar scores, prematurity, or low birth weight.
Conclusions: Although AMA pregnancies were linked to higher neonatal mortality, maternal age alone did not independently predict other key neonatal complications. Our findings suggest that the elevated risks often associated with AMA are mediated primarily through comorbid conditions and birth-related complications rather than age itself. This distinction holds clinical significance in risk stratification and patient counseling. Optimized prenatal care targeting modifiable factors may mitigate neonatal risks in AMA pregnancies.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Neonatology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Journal Section
Clinical Research
Publication Date
July 11, 2026
Submission Date
June 16, 2025
Acceptance Date
December 1, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 23 Number: 2
APA
Değirmencioğlu, H., & Karaman, E. (2026). Unmasking Age or Condition? A Retrospective Analysis of Neonatal Outcomes in Advanced Maternal Age Pregnancies. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik Ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi, 23(2), 139-146. https://doi.org/10.38136/jgon.1720786
AMA
1.Değirmencioğlu H, Karaman E. Unmasking Age or Condition? A Retrospective Analysis of Neonatal Outcomes in Advanced Maternal Age Pregnancies. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi. 2026;23(2):139-146. doi:10.38136/jgon.1720786
Chicago
Değirmencioğlu, Halil, and Enes Karaman. 2026. “Unmasking Age or Condition? A Retrospective Analysis of Neonatal Outcomes in Advanced Maternal Age Pregnancies”. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik Ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi 23 (2): 139-46. https://doi.org/10.38136/jgon.1720786.
EndNote
Değirmencioğlu H, Karaman E (July 1, 2026) Unmasking Age or Condition? A Retrospective Analysis of Neonatal Outcomes in Advanced Maternal Age Pregnancies. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi 23 2 139–146.
IEEE
[1]H. Değirmencioğlu and E. Karaman, “Unmasking Age or Condition? A Retrospective Analysis of Neonatal Outcomes in Advanced Maternal Age Pregnancies”, Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 139–146, July 2026, doi: 10.38136/jgon.1720786.
ISNAD
Değirmencioğlu, Halil - Karaman, Enes. “Unmasking Age or Condition? A Retrospective Analysis of Neonatal Outcomes in Advanced Maternal Age Pregnancies”. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi 23/2 (July 1, 2026): 139-146. https://doi.org/10.38136/jgon.1720786.
JAMA
1.Değirmencioğlu H, Karaman E. Unmasking Age or Condition? A Retrospective Analysis of Neonatal Outcomes in Advanced Maternal Age Pregnancies. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi. 2026;23:139–146.
MLA
Değirmencioğlu, Halil, and Enes Karaman. “Unmasking Age or Condition? A Retrospective Analysis of Neonatal Outcomes in Advanced Maternal Age Pregnancies”. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik Ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi, vol. 23, no. 2, July 2026, pp. 139-46, doi:10.38136/jgon.1720786.
Vancouver
1.Halil Değirmencioğlu, Enes Karaman. Unmasking Age or Condition? A Retrospective Analysis of Neonatal Outcomes in Advanced Maternal Age Pregnancies. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi. 2026 Jul. 1;23(2):139-46. doi:10.38136/jgon.1720786