Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2026
07:34
Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound (30/45MHZ) System
Published on: May 5, 2018
Maternal age and temporal effects on stillbirth rates
Johan Fellman1, Aldur W Eriksson
1Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Department of Genetic Epidemiology, Finland. fellman@hanken.fi
Summary
Stillbirth rates have declined over time for both single and multiple births. Older maternal age and young maternal age with twin births are associated with higher stillbirth risks.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal epidemiology
- Reproductive health statistics
Background:
- Stillbirth rates exhibit decreasing temporal trends for single and multiple births.
- Maternal age is a known risk factor for stillbirth, often showing a U- or J-shaped association.
Purpose of the Study:
- To simultaneously analyze temporal trends and maternal age effects on stillbirth rates.
- To disentangle the contributions of time and maternal age to stillbirth variation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two-dimensional analysis of variance to account for non-linear associations.
- Applied multiplicative models based on the logarithm of the stillbirth rate for best fit.
- Analyzed official data from England and Wales (1927-2004) and Finland (1937-1997).
Main Results:
- Identified significant temporal declines in stillbirth rates.
- Confirmed a non-linear relationship between maternal age and stillbirth risk.
- Observed elevated stillbirth rates in twin births among young mothers and in all births among older mothers.
Conclusions:
- Both temporal trends and maternal age significantly influence stillbirth rates.
- Maternal age remains a critical factor, particularly for older mothers and young mothers with multiple gestations.
- The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions based on maternal age and birth status.
Related Concept Videos
02:57Meiosis vs. Mitosis
Cell division is necessary for growth and reproduction in organisms. Mitosis aids cell growth and development by dividing somatic cells. In contrast, meiosis causes the division of germ cells and plays an essential role in sexual reproduction. Due to their unique functional requirements, mitosis and meiosis differ from each other in multiple aspects.
Before the start of mitosis and meiosis I, the cell synthesizes DNA, resulting in two homologous copies of each chromosome. DNA synthesis is...
Before the start of mitosis and meiosis I, the cell synthesizes DNA, resulting in two homologous copies of each chromosome. DNA synthesis is...
02:07Oogenesis
In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
01:21Nondisjunction
Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate correctly and move to the opposite poles of the cells. This produces daughter cells with abnormal chromosome numbers. Nondisjunction is common during anaphase I or anaphase II of meiosis. Mutations in synaptonemal complex proteins that attach homologous chromosomes increase the chances of nondisjunction in anaphase I of meiosis I. In contrast, mutations in topoisomerases and condensins that hold sister...
01:52Regression Toward the Mean
Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Age-related pharmacokinetic changes are extensively documented, but understanding age-related pharmacodynamic alterations is relatively limited. This knowledge gap can be partly attributed to the complexity of developing appropriate measures of drug responses compared to bioanalytical methods for determining drug concentrations.Most information regarding age-related differences in human pharmacodynamics originates from cross-sectional studies. However, these studies assume that observed mean...
01:07Teratogenicity
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...