The role of maternal age in the development of non-chromosomal congenital anomalies
(NCAs) is under debate. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to identify the
age groups at risk for NCAs. The secondary aim was to perform a detailed analysis
of the relative frequency of various anomalies.National population-based study.The
Hungarian Case-Control Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies (CAs) between 1980 and
2009.A cohort of 31 128 cases with confirmed NCAs was compared with Hungary's total
of 2 808 345 live births.Clinicians prospectively reported cases after delivery. Data
were analysed by non-linear logistic regression. Risk-increasing effect of young and
advanced maternal age was determined by each NCA group.These were the total number
of NCAs: cleft lip and palate, circulatory, genital, musculoskeletal, digestive, urinary,
eye, ear, face, and neck, nervous system, and respiratory system anomalies.The occurrence
of NCAs in our database was lowest between 23 and 32 years of maternal age at childbirth.
The relative risk (RR) of any NCA was 1.2 (95% CI 1.17-1.23) and 1.15 (95% CI 1.11-1.19)
in the very young and advanced age groups, respectively. The respective results for
the circulatory system were RR = 1.07 (95% CI 1.01-1.13) and RR = 1.33 (95% CI 1.24-1.42);
for cleft lip and palate RR = 1.09 (95% CI 1.01-1.19) and RR = 1.45 (95% CI 1.26-1.67);
for genital organs RR = 1.15 (95% CI 1.08-1.22) and RR = 1.16 (95% CI 1.04-1.29);
for the musculoskeletal system RR = 1.17 (95% CI 1.12-1.23) and RR = 1.29 (95% CI
1.14-1.44); and for the digestive system RR = 1.23 (95% CI 1.14-1.31) and RR = 1.16
(95% CI 1.04-1.29).Very young and advanced maternal ages are associated with different
types of NCAs. Therefore, screening protocols should be adjusted for these risk groups.
