Maternal and Paternal Age
The average age women have their first child differs between countries but overall, across Europe maternal age is increasing. The risk of specific types of congenital anomaly differs by maternal age. For some anomalies the risk is greater at a younger age, while for other anomalies the risk is greater at an older age.
For example, the relationship between maternal age and chromosomal anomalies is well known: the risk of chromosomal anomalies increases from around 0.2% with a maternal age of 20 to around 5% with a maternal age of 45. On the other hand, the risk of gastroschisis is greater with younger maternal age. More recently, studies have also focused on risks associated with paternal age. Higher paternal age is associated with an increased risk of genetic disorders.
What do EUROCAT data tell us about the effects of parental age?
EUROCAT data has been used to evaluate the overall risk of non-chromosomal anomalies for specific maternal age brackets, across different European countries, finding teenage mothers are at greatest risk1.
Studies using EUROCAT data have helped contribute to the scientific knowledge on the associations between specific anomalies and maternal age. For example, studies using EUROCAT data have found small increased risks of anencephaly2, atresia of the small intestine3, vascular disruption anomalies4, schizencephaly5, and septo-optic dysplasia6, with younger maternal age; and small increased risks of Pierre-Robin sequence7, and cardiac defects8 with older maternal age. Further investigation is required to confirm or refute these associations.
EUROCAT data has also added to evidence that specific anomalies do not have an association with maternal age, for example hypospadias9.
Some studies using EUROCAT data have also investigated the role of paternal age. For example, the increased risk of the genetic disorder achondroplasia10, and of the chromosomal syndrome Klinefelter11, with increasing paternal age.
Relevant EUROCAT publications