This is the current release of the guideline.

To provide an overview of delayed child-bearing and to describe the implications for women and health care providers

Studies published between 2000 and August 2010 were retrieved through searches of PubMed and the Cochrane Library using appropriate key words (delayed child-bearing, deferred pregnancy, maternal age, assisted reproductive technology, infertility, and multiple births) and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms (maternal age, reproductive behaviour, fertility). The Internet was also searched using similar key words, and national and international medical specialty societies were searched for clinical practice guidelines and position statements.

Not stated

Quality of Evidence Assessment*

I: Evidence obtained from at least one properly randomized controlled trial

II-1: Evidence from well-designed controlled trials without randomization

II-2: Evidence from well–designed cohort (prospective or retrospective) or case–control studies, preferably from more than one centre or research group

II-3: Evidence obtained from comparisons between times or places with or without the intervention. Dramatic results in uncontrolled experiments (such as the results of treatment with penicillin in the 1940s) could also be included in this category.

III: Opinions of respected authorities, based on clinical experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees

*Adapted from The Evaluation of Evidence criteria described in the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.

Data were extracted based on the aims, sample, authors, year, and results. The quality of evidence was rated using the criteria described in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (see the "Rating Scheme for the Strength of the Evidence" and the "Rating Scheme for the Strength of the Recommendations" fields).

Not stated

Classification of Recommendations†

A. There is good evidence to recommend the clinical preventive action.

B. There is fair evidence to recommend the clinical preventive action.

C. The existing evidence is conflicting and does not allow to make a recommendation for or against use of the clinical preventive action; however, other factors may influence decision-making.

D. There is fair evidence to recommend against the clinical preventive action.

E. There is good evidence to recommend against the clinical preventive action.

L. There is insufficient evidence (in quantity or quality) to make a recommendation; however, other factors may influence decision-making.

†Adapted from the Classification of Recommendations criteria described in the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.

A formal cost analysis was not performed and published cost analyses were not reviewed.

This Committee Opinion has been prepared by the Genetics Committee, reviewed by the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Committee, and approved by the Executive and Council of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC).

The quality of evidence (I-III) and classification of recommendations (A-L) are defined at the end of the "Major Recommendations."

Increased Use of Reproductive Technology

1. Women who delay child-bearing are at increased risk of infertility. Prospective parents, especially women, should know that their fecundity and fertility begin to decline significantly after 32 years of age. Prospective parents should know that assisted reproductive technologies cannot guarantee a live birth or completely compensate for age-related decline in fertility. (II-2A)
2. A fertility evaluation should be initiated after 6 months of unprotected intercourse without conception in women 35 to 37 years of age, and earlier in women >37 years of age. (II-2A)

Advanced Paternal Age

3. Prospective parents should be informed that semen quality and male fertility deteriorate with advancing age and that the risk of genetic disorders in offspring increases. (II-2A)

Maternal Age-Related Risk of Genetic Conditions and Congenital Anomalies

4. Women ≥35 years of age should be offered screening for fetal aneuploidy and undergo a detailed second trimester ultrasound examination to look for significant fetal birth defects (particularly cardiac defects). (II-1A)

Impact of Maternal Age on Pregnancy Outcome

5. Delayed child-bearing is associated with increased obstetrical and perinatal complications. Care providers need to be aware of these complications and adjust obstetrical management protocols to ensure optimal maternal and perinatal outcomes. (II-2A)
6. All adults of reproductive age should be aware of the obstetrical and perinatal risks of advanced maternal age so they can make informed decisions about the timing of child-bearing. (II-2A)

Summary

7. Strategies to improve informed decision-making by prospective parents should be designed, implemented, and evaluated. These strategies should provide opportunity for adults to understand the potential medical, social, and economic consequences of childbearing throughout the reproductive years. (III-B)
8. Barriers to healthy reproduction, including workplace policies, should be reviewed to optimize the likelihood of healthy pregnancies. (III-C)

Definitions:

Quality of Evidence Assessment*

I: Evidence obtained from at least one properly randomized controlled trial

II-1: Evidence from well-designed controlled trials without randomization

II-2: Evidence from well–designed cohort (prospective or retrospective) or case–control studies, preferably from more than one centre or research group

II-3: Evidence obtained from comparisons between times or places with or without the intervention. Dramatic results in uncontrolled experiments (such as the results of treatment with penicillin in the 1940s) could also be included in this category.

III: Opinions of respected authorities, based on clinical experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees

Classification of Recommendations†

A. There is good evidence to recommend the clinical preventive action.

B. There is fair evidence to recommend the clinical preventive action.

C. The existing evidence is conflicting and does not allow to make a recommendation for or against use of the clinical preventive action; however, other factors may influence decision-making.

D. There is fair evidence to recommend against the clinical preventive action.

E. There is good evidence to recommend against the clinical preventive action.

L. There is insufficient evidence (in quantity or quality) to make a recommendation; however, other factors may influence decision-making.

*Adapted from The Evaluation of Evidence criteria described in the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.

†Adapted from the Classification of Recommendations criteria described in the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.

None provided

The type of supporting evidence is identified and graded for each recommendation (see the "Major Recommendations" field).

Not stated

This document reflects emerging clinical and scientific advances on the date issued and is subject to change. The information should not be construed as dictating an exclusive course of treatment or procedure to be followed. Local institutions can dictate amendments to these opinions. They should be well documented if modified at the local level. None of these contents may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC).

An implementation strategy was not provided.

Not applicable: The guideline was not adapted from another source.

Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada

Genetics Committee

Principal Authors: Jo-Ann Johnson, MD, Calgary AB; Suzanne Tough, PhD, Calgary AB

Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada Genetics Committee: R. Douglas Wilson, MD (Chair), Calgary AB; François Audibert, MD, Montreal QC; Claire Blight, RN, Dartmouth NS; Jo-Ann Brock, MD, Halifax NS; Lola Cartier, MSc, CCGC, Montreal QC; Valérie A. Désilets, MD, Montreal QC; Alain Gagnon, MD, Vancouver BC; Sylvie Langlois, MD, Vancouver BC; Lynn Murphy-Kaulbeck, MD, Moncton NB; Nanette Okun, MD, Toronto ON

Disclosure statements have been received from all members of the committee.

This is the current release of the guideline.

Electronic copies: Available in Portable Document Format (PDF) from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada Web site . Also available in French from the SOGC Web site .

Print copies: Available from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, La société des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Canada (SOGC) 780 promenade Echo Drive Ottawa, ON K1S 5R7 (Canada); Phone: 1-800-561-2416.

None available

None available

This NGC summary was completed by ECRI Institute on April 11, 2012. The information was verified by the guideline developer on May 10, 2012.

The NCG summary is based on the original guideline, which is subject to the guideline developer's copyright restrictions.