Potential risks to offspring of intrauterine exposure to maternal age-related obstetric complications

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan J. Tarín ◽  
Miguel A. García-Pérez ◽  
Antonio Cano

Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the negative effects of delayed motherhood on an offspring’s morbidity later in life. However, these hypotheses are not supported by clinical and epidemiological evidence. Because advanced maternal age is associated with increased risk of obstetric complications, the aim of the present study was to ascertain whether the negative effects on offspring of intrauterine exposure to maternal age-related obstetric complications may explain the reported negative effects of delayed motherhood on offspring. To this end, a literature search was performed to identify relevant publications up to March 2016 on PubMed; references cited in relevant articles were also searched. There was a direct correlation between the risks to offspring conferred by intrauterine exposure to at least one of the obstetric complications present at the time of delivery in women aged ≥35 years and the risks to offspring of delayed motherhood. This correlation was not observed when comparing the risks to offspring of delayed motherhood and the risks associated with maternal transmission of defective mitochondria, chromosomal anomalies or DNA double-strand breaks. Most of the effects on offspring of intrauterine exposure to maternal age-related obstetric complications may be induced by epigenetic DNA reprogramming during critical periods of embryo or fetal development. Women wanting to enrol in a fertility preservation program to offset age-related declines in fertility should be informed not only about their chances of pregnancy and the percentage of live births, but also about the risks to themselves and their prospective offspring of delaying motherhood.

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan J. Tarín ◽  
Miguel A. García-Pérez ◽  
Antonio Cano

Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the negative effects of delayed motherhood on an offspring’s morbidity later in life. However, these hypotheses are not supported by clinical and epidemiological evidence. Because advanced maternal age is associated with increased risk of obstetric complications, the aim of the present study was to ascertain whether the negative effects on offspring of intrauterine exposure to maternal age-related obstetric complications may explain the reported negative effects of delayed motherhood on offspring. To this end, a literature search was performed to identify relevant publications up to March 2016 on PubMed; references cited in relevant articles were also searched. There was a direct correlation between the risks to offspring conferred by intrauterine exposure to at least one of the obstetric complications present at the time of delivery in women aged ≥35 years and the risks to offspring of delayed motherhood. This correlation was not observed when comparing the risks to offspring of delayed motherhood and the risks associated with maternal transmission of defective mitochondria, chromosomal anomalies or DNA double-strand breaks. Most of the effects on offspring of intrauterine exposure to maternal age-related obstetric complications may be induced by epigenetic DNA reprogramming during critical periods of embryo or fetal development. Women wanting to enrol in a fertility preservation program to offset age-related declines in fertility should be informed not only about their chances of pregnancy and the percentage of live births, but also about the risks to themselves and their prospective offspring of delaying motherhood.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia Félix Nazaré ◽  
Ana Sofia Fernandes Pais ◽  
Margarida Figueiredo-Dias

Background: During the last decades, the postponement of motherhood became a reality in developed countries, leading to inevitable medical consequences, both maternal and fetal. Fertility preservation techniques constitute a matter of discussion in the context of voluntary delay of pregnancy. Objective: This study aims to analyse the causes, to address the maternal and fetal consequences and to explore solutions to this problem, namely the applicability of fertility preservation techniques. Methods: Bibliographic search of studies published between 2008 and 2020 was conducted in the PubMed database using the MeSH terms "fertility preservation" and "maternal age", among others. Results: The reasons that lead to the postponement of motherhood are the difficulty in establishing stable relationships, the expansion of differentiated education and demanding labor conditions, the diffusion of contraceptive methods, economic insecurity, ideational changes and the lack of information about this issue. The increased infertility, fetal death, chromosomal anomalies, multiple pregnancies, preterm birth and increased caesarean sections are the medical consequences associated. The review of social policies and the provision of information about fertility constitute possible solutions to this phenomenon. Fertility preservation techniques, especially oocyte cryopreservation, appear as an option but cannot totally compensate the age-related fertility decline. Conclusion: Advanced maternal age is a Public Health issue essentially explained by a set of interconnected social factors, involving considerable risks for maternal and fetal health. Fertility preservation techniques, although promising, may contribute to the perpetuation of this reality.


Author(s):  
Sir Peter Gluckman ◽  
Mark Hanson ◽  
Chong Yap Seng ◽  
Anne Bardsley

Maternal age on both ends of the reproductive spectrum (teenage and 35+) is associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, as compared with the age range from 20–34 years old. Some of the increase in pregnancy complications in older mothers is caused by underlying age-related health issues such as hypertension and diabetes, the prevalence of which increases linearly with age. The risks associated with young maternal age are more related to nutritional deficits and the fact that pregnant adolescents may still be growing themselves. Poor fetal growth often seen in adolescent pregnancies possibly results from competition for nutrients. Maternal bone loss is also a concern, as adolescent diets are commonly low in calcium and vitamin D. Pregnant adolescents may benefit from calcium supplementation to compensate for the increased need for their own bone growth and should at minimum receive vitamin D supplements, as recommended for all pregnant women.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoo-Na Kim ◽  
Dong-Woo Choi ◽  
Dong Seop Kim ◽  
Eun-Cheol Park ◽  
Ja-Young Kwon

AbstractAdvanced maternal age (AMA) is a growing trend world-wide and is traditionally defined as childbearing in women over 35 years of age. The purpose of our study was to determine the maternal age group within the Korean population, in which the risk of early neonatal mortality is increased. Korean birth and mortality data from 2011 to 2015 were used to estimate the influence of maternal age on the risk of early neonatal mortality. A Poisson regression was used for the analysis of multiple clinical variables such as year of delivery, maternal age, gestational age, infant gender, birth weight, multiple birth, parity, and socioeconomic variables. Furthermore, a generalized additive model was used to determine the maternal age at which the risk for neonatal mortality increases. We included 2,161,908 participants and found that 49.4% of mothers were 30–34 years of age at delivery. The proportion of mothers aged 35 and above increased over the 5-year analysis period. A maternal age lower than 29 years or higher than 40 years was associated with a relatively higher risk of early neonatal mortality. The trend and magnitude of the age-related risk on early neonatal mortality were independent of maternal socioeconomic factors such as living in an obstetrically underserved area, education level, and employment status. Furthermore, we showed that the risk for early neonatal mortality was higher until the maternal age of 28. However, there were no significant changes in the risk between the age of 35 and 40 years. According to recent national-wide data, age-related risk for early neonatal mortality is only apparent for mothers ≥ 40 years old whereas, age between 35 and 39 are not at increased risk for early neonatal mortality, despite being classified as AMA.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 43-48
Author(s):  
Iwona Kiersnowska ◽  
Barbara Baranowska ◽  
Grażyna Bączek ◽  
Piotr Węgrzyn

Advancing medical knowledge, improving quality of life and increasing life expectancy have resulted in increased numbers of women deciding to deliver a child over 35 years of age. Infertility in delayed motherhood is associated not only with medical but also with psychological problems. The question of delayed motherhood concerns the whole world, and is of interest not only to obstetricians, but also economists and demographers. The purpose of our study was to identify and review studies into the health problems of women over 35 years of age in pregnancy (Advanced Maternal Age), delivery and the puerperium. Original papers investigating health problems in women over 35 years of age related to pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium published between August 2017, and January 2018 were identified. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest Central, and Elsevier Clinical Key Journals were utilised. After removing duplicates and those not meeting inclusion criteria, 15 studies were reviewed. Findings are discussed according to three time periods; before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and during childbirth and the puerperium. AMA mothers, especially primiparous women, were more likely to suffer with underlying chronic diseases and were more likely to have been treated for infertility. Increased use ART (Assisted Reproduction Techniques) can explain an increased rate of multiple pregnancies and the resultant rise in both caesarean section deliveries and premature births. Study groups subclassified according to maternal age allowed outcomes which are progressive with age to be identified. All the studies we reviewed have reported similar health problems in women over 35 years of age. The most common health problems in pregnancy, during childbirth and the puerperium in women over 35 years of age are diabetes mellitus type one and two, hypertension, preeclampsia, and cholestasis


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zac Wylde ◽  
Foteini Spagopoulou ◽  
Amy K Hooper ◽  
Alexei A Maklakov ◽  
Russell Bonduriansky

Individuals within populations vary enormously in mortality risk and longevity, but the causes of this variation remain poorly understood. A potentially important and phylogenetically widespread source of such variation is maternal age at breeding, which typically has negative effects on offspring longevity. Here, we show that paternal age can affect offspring longevity as strongly as maternal age does, and that breeding age effects can interact over two generations in both matrilines and patrilines. We manipulated maternal and paternal ages at breeding over two generations in the neriid fly Telostylinus angusticollis. To determine whether breeding age effects can be modulated by the environment, we also manipulated larval diet and male competitive environment in the first generation. We found separate and interactive effects of parental and grandparental ages at breeding on descendants’ mortality rate and lifespan in both matrilines and patrilines. These breeding age effects were not modulated by grandparental larval diet quality or competitive environment. Our findings suggest that variation in maternal and paternal ages at breeding could contribute substantially to intra-population variation in mortality and longevity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (29) ◽  
pp. 3098-3111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Liberale ◽  
Giovanni G. Camici

Background: The ongoing demographical shift is leading to an unprecedented aging of the population. As a consequence, the prevalence of age-related diseases, such as atherosclerosis and its thrombotic complications is set to increase in the near future. Endothelial dysfunction and vascular stiffening characterize arterial aging and set the stage for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerotic plaques evolve over time, the extent to which these changes might affect their stability and predispose to sudden complications remains to be determined. Recent advances in imaging technology will allow for longitudinal prospective studies following the progression of plaque burden aimed at better characterizing changes over time associated with plaque stability or rupture. Oxidative stress and inflammation, firmly established driving forces of age-related CV dysfunction, also play an important role in atherosclerotic plaque destabilization and rupture. Several genes involved in lifespan determination are known regulator of redox cellular balance and pre-clinical evidence underlines their pathophysiological roles in age-related cardiovascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Objective: The aim of this narrative review is to examine the impact of aging on arterial function and atherosclerotic plaque development. Furthermore, we report how molecular mechanisms of vascular aging might regulate age-related plaque modifications and how this may help to identify novel therapeutic targets to attenuate the increased risk of CV disease in elderly people.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Triantafyllos Didangelos ◽  
Konstantinos Kantartzis

The cardiac effects of exogenously administered insulin for the treatment of diabetes (DM) have recently attracted much attention. In particular, it has been questioned whether insulin is the appropriate treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure. While several old and some new studies suggested that insulin treatment has beneficial effects on the heart, recent observational studies indicate associations of insulin treatment with an increased risk of developing or worsening of pre-existing heart failure and higher mortality rates. However, there is actually little evidence that the associations of insulin administration with any adverse outcomes are causal. On the other hand, insulin clearly causes weight gain and may also cause serious episodes of hypoglycemia. Moreover, excess of insulin (hyperinsulinemia), as often seen with the use of injected insulin, seems to predispose to inflammation, hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and arrhythmias. Nevertheless, it should be stressed that most of the data concerning the effects of insulin on cardiac function derive from in vitro studies with isolated animal hearts. Therefore, the relevance of the findings of such studies for humans should be considered with caution. In the present review, we summarize the existing data about the potential positive and negative effects of insulin on the heart and attempt to answer the question whether any adverse effects of insulin or the consequences of hyperglycemia are more important and may provide a better explanation of the close association of DM with heart failure.


2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110026
Author(s):  
Pablo Gili ◽  
Leyre Lloreda Martín ◽  
José-Carlos Martín-Rodrigo ◽  
Naon Kim-Yeon ◽  
Laura Modamio-Gardeta ◽  
...  

Purpose: To identify the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CFH, ARMS2, HTRA1, CFB, C2, and C3 genes and exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a Spanish population. Methods: In 187 exudative AMD patients and 196 healthy controls (61% women, mean age 75 years), 12 SNPs as risk factors for AMD in CFH (rs1410996, rs1061170, r380390), ARMS2 (rs10490924, rs10490923), HTRA1 (rs11200638), CFB (rs641153), C2 (rs547154, rs9332739), and C3 (rs147859257, rs2230199, rs1047286) genes were analyzed. Results: The G allele was the most frequent in CFH gene (rs1410996) with a 7-fold increased risk of AMD (OR 7.69, 95% CI 3.17–18.69), whereas carriers of C allele in CFH (rs1061170) showed a 3-fold increased risk for AMD (OR 3.22, 95% CI 1.93–5.40). In CFH (rs380390), the presence of G allele increased the risk for AMD by 2-fold (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.47–4.30). In ARMS2 (rs10490924), the T-allele was associated with an almost 5-fold increased risk (OR 5.49, 95% CI 3.23–9.31). The A allele in HTRA1 (rs11200638) was more prevalent in AMD versus controls (OR 6.44, 95% CI 3.62–11.47). In C2 gene (rs9332739) the presence of C increased risk for AMD by 3-fold (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.06–9.06). Conclusion: SNPs in CFH, ARMS2, HTRA1, and C2 genes were associated in our study with an increased risk for exudative AMD in Spanish patients.


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