What risk is associated with advanced maternal age during pregnancy?

Advanced maternal age, typically considered to be 35 years and older, is associated with several risks during pregnancy, one of the most significant being an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities. This risk is particularly notable for conditions such as Down syndrome, which is linked to the age of the egg. As women age, the quality and quantity of their oocytes decline, leading to a higher probability of errors occurring during cell division, known as nondisjunction.

This biological process places older women at a greater risk of conceiving a child with chromosomal abnormalities, which can lead to various genetic conditions that may have profound impacts on the child’s health and development.

Other risks mentioned in the options are certainly relevant to maternal age; however, the correlation between advanced maternal age and chromosomal abnormalities is especially emphasized in prenatal care contexts due to its implications for genetic counseling and the decision-making process regarding screening and diagnostic testing for expectant parents.