The objective was to investigate perinatal outcomes in the extremes of reproductive age and verify the risk factors for low birth weight. This is a retrospective study was performed of deliveries in the city of Sarandi, state of Paraná, Brazil, in 2008, by accessing data from the Information System on Live Births. The 331 expectant mothers were subdivided into two groups: adolescents (10-19 years of age) and late-age mothers (35 years or older). Rates of cesarean deliveries were significantly higher (66.1%) in mothers 35 or older than in adolescents (26.8%). Regarding risk factors for low weight at birth, it was observed that this condition was strongly associated with prematurity and marital status. The perinatal outcomes of mothers 35 or older were not significantly different when compared to the results of the adolescents, confirming the occurrence of adverse results in both extremes of reproductive age, except for the incidence of cesarean delivery.
Maternal age; Pregnancy outcome; Birth weight; Risk factors
