title: Tragic outcome of post-menopausal pregnancy: an obstetric commentary.
abstract: The recent Italian court report regarding the removal and adoption of a 1-year-old child conceived with assisted reproduction treatment from parents deemed to be 'too old' at ages 57 and 70 brings to the fore the complex medical and ethical issues that surround assisted reproduction. This obstetric commentary examines the biology of reproductive ageing, current childbearing trends and the outcomes of post-reproductive age pregnancies, particularly focusing on maternal mortality as 'the tip of the iceberg' of IVF harms. The case highlights the need for global standards to ensure medical accountability.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynaecology, London Deanery, c/o Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich, South London Healthcare NHS Trust, London SE18 4QH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Archana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vasireddy
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bewley
mesh_terms: D000300:Adoption; D000375:Aging; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010290:Parents; D011247:Pregnancy; D046269:Reproductive Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
keywords: IVF harm; assisted reproduction; egg donation; maternal morbidity; maternal mortality; post-menopausal pregnancy