Overview

• The study of 312,221 singleton births from 2010 to 2022 shows stillbirth rates jump from 0.42% among mothers aged 35–39 to 0.83% for those 45 and older.
• Premature delivery rates rise from 4.8% in the 35–39 age group to 8.4% among children born to mothers 45 and above.
• Infants of mothers 45 and older also face higher incidence of low birth weight relative to gestational age and neonatal hypoglycemia.
• Researchers accounted for factors such as higher maternal BMI, the use of assisted reproductive technology and pre-existing conditions, confirming age as an independent risk factor.
• With more women giving birth after 40, the findings emphasize the need for targeted screening and interventions throughout pregnancy.