title: Pregnancy outcome in late maternal age in a high-income developing country.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to compare the pregnancy outcome at maternal age 35 years and above with those aged between 20 and 34 years in a high-income developing country.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, pregnant women that delivered at Al-Ain Hospital from the 1st April 2009 till 30th September 2009 were included. The obstetrical and perinatal outcome of mothers aged between 20 and 34 years and those aged 35 years old and above was compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were a total of 888 patients. 699/888 (78.7%) were aged between 20 and 34 years and 189 (21.3%) were aged 35 years and above. Advanced maternal age was significantly associated with a higher incidence of type II diabetes mellitus (p = 0001), hypothyroidism (p = 0.02), history of miscarriages (p = 0.0001), GDM (p = 0.0001), placenta previa p = 0.04, induction of labor (p = 0.04), and Cesarean section (p = 0.009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pregnant women at 35 years and above have higher incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus, placenta previa, and operative delivery. However, perinatal outcome are comparable to younger mothers.
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Department, Al Ain Hospital, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Hind A A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Alshami
authors.forename: Anjali R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Kadasne
authors.forename: Muna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khalfan
authors.forename: Saima Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: Hisham M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Mirghani
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008423:Maternal Age; D010923:Placenta Previa / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult