title: [Pregnancy and delivery after 40 years of age].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In order to study the risks involved with advanced maternal age, pregnancy and delivery of all the women after forty (n = 551) who attended the Obstetrical and Gynecological Clinic of the Palermo University from January 1, 1981 to December 31, 1990 have been examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  A control group, consisting of women aged 21 to 26 (n = 7980) who attended the Clinic during the same time period, was used for comparison. Each group was analysed for the following parameters: pregnancy complications, time and outcome of deliveries, rate and indications for cesarean section, neonatal outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show no significant differences in the factors analysed between the two groups observed, except for an increased rate of abortions and Cesarean sections in the study group and an increased rate of premature rupture of membranes in the control group.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università degli Studi, Palermo.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Murgia
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rao Camemi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cadili
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001724:Birth Weight; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D008423:Maternal Age; D008875:Middle Aged; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000453:epidemiology; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors