Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Apr 14;184(5):297. doi: 10.1007/s00431-025-06118-4.
ABSTRACT
This study aims to describe the risk factors and trends in birth prevalence of septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) and gastroschisis between 1980 and 2023. This descriptive, population-based study of SOD and gastroschisis used Western Australian Register of Developmental Anomalies data from 1980 to 2023. Birth prevalence was calculated using Midwives Notification System data for all births after 20 weeks gestation. Relative risk (RR) for SOD and gastroschisis showed risk by maternal age. SOD and gastroschisis occurred in 99 and 391 cases respectively (no dual diagnoses), with a birth prevalence of 1.41 and 3.71 per 10,000 respectively (from 2010 to 2019), and have been stable since 2010. For the study period, younger maternal age (under 25 years old) increased the risk of SOD and gastroschisis (RR, 3.28 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.13-5.00]; RR, 4.50 [95% CI 3.68-5.49] respectively). From 2010 to 2023, median maternal age increased for SOD and gastroschisis by 4.8 years (p = 0.044) to 27.0 and by 2.8 years (p < 0.001) to 25.5, respectively. Mothers living in areas of greater socioeconomic disadvantage had higher risk (RR, 1.81 [95% CI 1.14-2.88] in SOD and RR, 1.41 [95% CI 1.06-1.86] in gastroschisis), independent of maternal age. Premature birth was more common in children with SOD and gastroschisis.
CONCLUSION: While younger mothers are more likely to have a child with either SOD or gastroschisis, maternal age at birth is higher than reported in the literature and is rising. This is probably attributable to the rising age of mothers at delivery, and further research into risk factors beyond maternal age is recommended.
WHAT IS KNOWN: • Septo-optic dysplasia and gastroschisis are both rare diseases, known to occur more commonly in younger mothers. • Maternal age at birth is increasing in high income countries.
WHAT IS NEW: • Despite mean maternal age rising in both conditions, in-line with rising population maternal age, birth prevalence is stable. • Mothers living in areas of greater socioeconomic disadvantage had a higher relative risk of SOD and gastroschisis.
PMID:40229431 | DOI:10.1007/s00431-025-06118-4
