Obstetric performance of women aged over forty years.
BACKGROUND
Advanced age and parity constitute two major factors in the outcome of pregnancy and labour management both in the developed and developing countries.


OBJECTIVE
To examine pregnancy outcomes in women aged 40 years and above with the view of proffering solution to some of the problems encountered.


METHODS
A case control retrospective study.


METHODS
Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria from 1st January, 1995 to 31st December, 1999.


METHODS
Three hundred and three women who delivered at 40 years of age or above. The control group comprised of 303 women who delivered between 20 and 29 years during the five years period.


METHODS
Gestational age at delivery, birth weight, mode and type of delivery, pregnancy and birth outcome.


RESULTS
This showed a significant increase in prematurity, low birth weight, medical complications, operative deliveries (Caesarean section, vacuum and forceps), birth asphyxia and perinatal deaths all at P < 0.05.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a poor pregnancy outcome at fourty years and above. Patients need to be counselled for care in a specialised centre.
Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Perinatology, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
E O
EO
Orji
V I
VI
Ndububa
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D012189:Retrospective Studies