The association of maternal age with birthweight and gestational age: A cross-cohort comparison

María Clara Restrepo-Méndez, Debbie A. Lawlor, Bernardo L. Horta, Alicia Matijasevich, Iná S. Santos, Ana M B Menezes, Fernando C. Barros, Cesar G. Victora

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background We examined the associations of maternal age with low birthweight (LBW) and preterm birth in four cohorts from a middle- and a high-income country, where the patterning of maternal age by socio-economic position (SEP) is likely to differ.

Method Population-based birth cohort studies were carried out in the city of Pelotas, Brazil in 1982, 1993, and 2004, and in Avon, UK in 1991 [Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)]. Adjustment for multiple indicators of SEP were applied.

Results Low SEP was associated with younger age at childbearing in all cohorts, but the magnitudes of these associations were stronger in ALSPAC. Inverse associations of SEP with LBW and preterm birth were observed in all cohorts. U-shaped associations were observed between maternal age and odds of LBW in all cohorts. After adjustment for SEP, increased odds of LBW for young mothers (

Conclusion Confounding by SEP explains much of the excess risk of LBW and preterm among babies born to teenage mothers as a whole, but not for mothers aged

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)31-40
Number of pages10
JournalPaediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology
Volume29
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • low birthweight infant
  • maternal age
  • pregnancy in adolescence
  • preterm birth
  • socio-economic factors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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