Hypertensive disorders and obstetric complications in women aged 35 or older at Chonburi Hospital

Abstract

Objective To assess the prevalence of hypertensive disorders in women aged 35 years or older and compare maternal and neonatal complications of women aged 35 years or older with women aged 20-24 years.
Material and Method The retrospective study conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chonburi Hospital, Thailand. The study group consisted of women aged 35 years or older who gave birth at Chonburi Hospital from March 1, 2005 to February 28, 2006. The control group consisted of women aged 20 – 24 years who gave birth during the same period. Demographic, maternal and neonatal complications information were collected and compared between the study and control groups.
Result The study group consisted of 647 women and the control group consisted of 1,247 women. This study found that the prevalence of hypertensive disorders in women aged 35 years or older at Chonburi Hospital was 10.66%. Women aged 35 years or older were found to have significantly higher rates of diabetes mellitus, placenta previa, and placental abruption than women aged 20-24 years. Preterm delivery and low birth weight infant rates in women aged ≥ 35 years were higher than the control group significantly. Cesarean section was the major route of delivery in the study group (73.42%).
Conclusion The prevalence of hypertensive disorders in women aged 35 years or older at Chonburi Hospital was 10.66%. Pregnancy in women of aged 35 years or older was associated with higher maternal and neonatal complications than the control group.