A prospective study of pregnancy outcomes in women of advanced maternal age > 35 years at tertiary care centre

Abstract

Background: Advanced maternal age has been defined as women who are 35 years or older at estimated date of delivery. This age cutoff was selected based on evidence of declining fertility and concern surrounding increasing risks for genetic abnormalities identified in the offspring of pregnant women older than age 35 years. Our study aim was to determine the risks of pregnancy & to study the adverse pregnancy outcomes in women of advanced maternal age above 35 years. Our study objective was to know the incidence of pregnant women > 35 years of age, to know the adverse effects and to know the maternal and perinatal outcome.
Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted at tertiary care centre, Government general hospital, Guntur from January 2024 to June 2024. Convenient sampling was done. All detailed data such as demographic data, maternal age, mode of delivery, obstetrical history, maternal complications and fetal outcome were recorded. Ethical approval was obtained from institutional ethical committee.
Results: The most common maternal complication was pregnancy induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia, oligohydramnios, gestational diabetes mellitus, placenta previa, postpartum haemorrhage. Caesarean section in 39% cases and vaginal delivery in 61% cases.78% were term deliveries, 22% were preterm deliveries. 9 neonates were low birth weight <1.5 kg.
Conclusion: Advanced maternal age is significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes like pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, and preterm delivery. Caesarean delivery was increased in those mothers. Advanced maternal age pregnancy was found to be a major risk factor for low birth weight, perinatal death. Therefore, it is better for health care providers to counsel couples, who seek to have a child in their later ages, about the risks of advanced maternal age pregnancy