2024-07-23 03:03:05
A study found that the best time for women to have their first child is in their early 30s. If a mother becomes pregnant after the age of 35, the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension and premature birth may increase.
The research team of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Professors Oh Soo-young and Sung Ji-hee) and the Clinical Epidemiology Research Center (Professors Cho Joo-hee and Kang Dan-bi) of Samsung Seoul Hospital recently analyzed the various effects that can occur on the health of newborns and mothers as the age of first-time mothers increases, and produced these results. The results of this study were published in the latest issue of the ‘Journal of the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.’
The research team followed up on 3,685,817 women who gave birth to their first children for 15 years from 2005 to 2019 based on data from the National Health Insurance Service. They divided the mothers into six groups based on their age: 24 years or younger (158,118 people), 25 to 29 years old (845,355 people), 30 to 34 years old (1,738,299 people), 35 to 39 years old (787,530 people), 40 to 44 years old (151,519 people), and 45 years or older (9,296 people).
The research team generally confirmed that the later the first child is born, the higher the rate of negative effects on the mother’s health, such as pregnancy complications. The incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension was 2.5% for those under 24, but it was 10.2% for those over 45, four times higher. The cesarean section rate also increased from 29.5% for those under 24 to 74% for those over 45.
However, various health risks that can occur to newborns, including premature birth, were relatively high even in the youngest group of 24 years or younger. Accordingly, the risk graph by age took the form of a ‘U’ curve.
When compared based on the 25-29 age group, the relative risk of premature birth was 16% for those under 24, 7% for those 30-34, 26% for those 35-39, 55% for those 40-44, and 85% for those 45 or older. In addition, even after adjusting for the influence of multiple pregnancy (twins), which is the main cause of premature birth, the difference by age was confirmed to be large.
The risk of autism in newborns was 18% for those under 24, 29% for those aged 40 to 44, and 50% for those aged 45 or older. The risk of cerebral palsy was also found to be 19% for those under 24, 29% for those aged 40 to 44, and 54% for those aged 45 or older. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and cognitive developmental delay were 37% and 43%, respectively, in those under 24, recording the highest rates among all groups. On the other hand, the 25 to 29 and 30 to 34 age groups had the lowest risks of most diseases.
The researchers combined the above results and selected the early 30s as the optimal age for the first birth. However, the study could not analyze the effect of the age of the father of the child. In addition, the risk may vary if it is the second or subsequent pregnancy, other than the first.
Professor Oh said, “It is already well known in overseas studies that not only the mother’s age but also the father’s age has a significant impact on the long-term prognosis of the baby,” and “The intrauterine environment is important for a healthy pregnancy. Not only pregnancy complications but also the long-term prognosis of the baby are directly related to the mother’s age, so couples should plan together to give birth at the right time.”
Professor Sung said, “We should keep in mind that the results of this study are limited to first-time mothers,” and added, “Even for older mothers, if it is their second or subsequent pregnancy (multiparity), it can be considered a low-risk pregnancy.”
Reporter Choi Jae-ho, Donga.com [email protected]
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2024-07-23 03:03:05