Maternal age specific prevalence of gastroschisis in the North of England over 30 years

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of gastroschisis over the last 30 years in the North of England and its association with maternal age.
DesignRetrospective population‐based study.MethodsData were extracted from the NorCAS, now part of the NCARDRS, for cases delivered between 1986 and 2015. Age‐standardised annual and maternal age group prevalence rates were estimated, the latter using the North of England's maternal age structure in 2013–2015 as reference. Mann‐Kendall trend tests and Sen's slopes were computed to assess the presence of linear time‐trends.
Results445 cases were notified from 999 208 registered livebirths and stillbirths. The total prevalence was 4.5 (95% CI: 4.1, 4.9) per 10 000 births. A significant linear increase in total prevalence during the study period was identified (slope: 0.4; P = 0.004). While gastroschisis has been most prevalent in mothers younger than 25 until around 2007, prevalence among 25–29 and 30–35 year‐old mothers appears to be increasing significantly since then (slope: 2.1; P = 0.007 and slope: 1.0; P = 0.007, respectively), with 25–29 year‐old mothers becoming the group with the highest prevalence of gastroschisis in the 2013–2015 period (<20 years: 5.3; 20–24 years: 16.1; 25–29 years: 19.3; 30–34 years: 9.7; 35–39 years: 1.1).
ConclusionGastroschisis prevalence continues to increase in the North of England and is becoming more common among mothers older than 25, which make up 70% of the maternal population. A better understanding of the risk factors among older mothers could lead to appropriate interventions and help reduce the prevalence of gastroschisis.