Outcome of Elderly Pregnancy Women Aged 35 Years or Older

Abstract

          A 3-year retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2004 to assess pregnancy outcomes of women aged 35 or older (study group ; n = 1120) compared with women of younger age (21-29 years) [control group ; n = 2804]. Older women (age ≥ 35) were associated with pregnancy complications such as pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, placenta previa, retained placenta, preterm and malpresentation at the rate of 4.46%, 1.07%, 1.88%, 1.07%,6.5% and 1.61%, respectively. Cesarean delivery rate in these subjects was 48.75%. Fetal outcomes: babies with low birth weight (< 2,500 g), macrosomia (≥ 4,000 g), stillbirth, and congenital anomalies were 9.29%, 4.45%, 1.25%, and 1.07%, respectively. All outcomes were statistically significant in advanced maternal age when compared with those in the control group.