Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary, compared 31,128 pregnancies complicated by non-chromosomal developmental abnormalities with 2,808,345 births over 30 years.
They advised having children between 23 and 32 years old, when birth abnormalities are lowest.
Genetic abnormalities like Down's syndrome are linked to maternal age.
The most common foetal central nervous system abnormalities affected young women.
Congenital diseases of the head, neck, ears, and eyes increased by 100% in foetuses of older mothers, especially in pregnancies over 40.
Advanced maternal age foetuses had 34% more urinary system abnormalities.
Heart malformations were 7% greater in young moms (below 22) and 33% higher in older mothers (above 32).
Researchers found a 9% rise in cleft lip and palate risk in offspring of young moms and 45% in pregnancies over 32.