CORRELATION OF ADVANCED MATERNAL AGE AND OBSTETRIC OUTCOME: ANALYTICAL STUDY FROM NORTH INDIA

Abstract

Background: Maternal age is a key factor of pregnancy outcome in obstetric practise. Due to lifestyle changes such as the quest of higher education and career success, women have postponed childbearing in recent years. As a result, the maternal age rises, resulting in a slew of issues during pregnancy, labour, and delivery, as well as for the newborn.

Aims & objectives: The goal of this study was to look at the effects of advanced maternal age on the mode of conception as well as obstetric and perinatal outcomes in elderly primigravida.

Methods: This was a two-year prospective hospital-based study in 200 elderly primigravida admitted after meeting appropriate exclusion criteria in a medical college. Pregnant women over 35 years of age, both primigravida (delayed childbirth) and multiparous women, are eligible for inclusion (continued childbearing).

Results: Infertility was the most common cause of delayed conception (35 percent). The rate of miscarriage was 11%, and ectopic pregnancy was 4%. The number of caesarean sections performed was extremely high (70 percent). 65 percent of them experienced pregnancy problems, the most prevalent of which were gestational diabetes mellitus (22 percent), gestational hypertension (12 percent), and preterm labour (12 percent) (17 percent). Preterm (17%) and FGR (8%), respectively, were the most common problems among the babies delivered, and 64 babies required NICU care for various causes including preterm and respiratory distress. There were no cases of maternal or newborn death.

Conclusion: Pregnancy in women over the age of 35 is associated with a higher risk of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Individualize and perhaps reduce the risks for women of advanced maternal age with effective preconception counselling and comprehensive prenatal care assessment.

Keywords: Elderly primigravida; Pregnancy; Maternal complication