Parental age profile in Espírito Santo, Brazil, and its influence on the incidence of congenital anomalies in newborns

https://doi.org/10.63923/smhs.2026.133

Abstract

Congenital anomalies constitute an important public health problem, associated with advanced maternal age and possibly paternal age. This retrospective observational study, using data from SINASC/DATASUS (Espírito Santo, 2017–2023; n = 377668), evaluated this association through descriptive analyses, chi-square testing, and adjusted logistic regression, with estimation of odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. An independent and dose-dependent association was observed between maternal age and congenital anomalies, with a marked increase in risk from the age of 35 onward, particularly for chromosomal abnormalities. In contrast, paternal age did not remain significant after adjustment. Despite the low absolute incidence, the highest relative risks were concentrated in advanced maternal ages, notably for Down syndrome and congenital heart defects. These findings reinforce advanced maternal age as the main determinant of these conditions, consistent with the accumulation of meiotic alterations and oocyte aging. Conversely, the lack of an independent association with paternal age suggests a possible confounding effect by maternal age. The absence of increased risk at younger maternal ages and the integrated population-based approach strengthen the consistency of the results, and help to fill a relevant gap in the national literature. In this context, the importance of targeted counseling and prenatal care for early diagnosis and risk reduction is highlighted.

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