Pathology of Infants and Children from Mother Older Than 35 Years at CHU of Brazzaville, Congo

Aims: To determine the rate of admissions of infant and children from the mother older than 35 years, to determine the main pathology sources of hospitalization, to determine the place of birth defects, and to identify their risks factors. Patient and Methods: A cross sectional study comparing infants and children born to the mother (≤ 35 years old = group 2) and those born to the mother older than 35 years (group1) which was conducted from March 2013 to March 2014 in pediatric ward. Results: One hundred and seventeen infants and children born to the older mothers were registered, which is 4% of hospitalization. No predominance of sex was noted (sex ratio = 1). The mean age of infants and children was 11.6 ± 7.9 months old (range, 1 to 30 months).The mean age of older mother was 40 ± 2.6 years (range, 36 to 45years). The main pathology sources of hospitalization were acute gastroenteritis followed by upper respiratory infections. Twenty three(18.8%) had birth defects. The main one was Down syndrome followed by congenital heart defects. The mother’s age didn’t influence the occurrence of main conditions source of hospitalization in both groups. Lower socio-economic level impacted the occurrence of congenital defects (P < 0.025) and so was the advanced maternal age (AMA) (p ˂ 5%). Primiparity and the first order birth were the predisposing factors for birth defects (p ≤ 0.01). Conclusions: The infants and children of the older mother are less frequently admitted. Under nutrition and birth defects especially down syndrome, are common. There is a close relationship between the lower socio-economic level, the advanced maternal age and the happening of birth defects.