engleski

Secular trends in parental age in Croatia from 1985-2009

Background: In developed countries general living conditions and standard have grown leading to reproductive and other secular changes. During the past decade in Croatia, similar changes were observed. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the reproductive secular changes in our populationduring 25 years period. Methods: 2414 parents and their newborns were examined. The study was conducted in University Hospital Center „Sisters of mercy“, Zagreb, Croatia. The study was randomized. The information was taken from the medical data.We examined some anthropological parameters before and after pregnancy regarding to the place of residence, educational level, marital status and parity. The results were statistically analyzed using nonparametric tests, parametric tests, and if necessary additional post hoc tests. Results: The age of mothers during the study period significantly increased especially in primiparas and secundiparas. More educated women , and women living in the cities deliver later. Older women deliver heavier and longer children. The share of under aged mothers during the 25 year period remained the same. The age of fathers increased. In the group of older fathers somewhat more common are boys. The proportion of babies with a specified mass is significantly different regarding the maternal age. The proportion of babies of certain length is significantly different with respect to the maternal age only when all periods are considered. Conclusion: Our data show secular trend in reproductive health similar to developed countries.

fathers age; maternal age; parental age; secular changes; education

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