Advanced age pregnancies: A retrospective analysis of 6-years' experience at a tertiary center

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of our study is to analyze clinic features of pregnant women at the age 40 and over and at the same time the pregnant women between the ages 20-29 in the control group. Material and Methods: This study is performed a case-control study. Women aged 40 and over (n=314) and women by simple random selected, aged 20-29 (n=314) retrospectively studied. These women gave birth in Istanbul Medeniyet University Göztepe Education and Research Hospital between the years 2007-2012. Mode of the birth, birth week and weight, preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, ablatio placenta, preterm labor, IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction), APGAR score, perinatal mortality are the values compared. For the statistical analyses NCSS (Number Cruncher Statistical System) 2007&PASS (Power Analysis and Sample Size) 2008 Statistical Software (Utah, USA) is used. We regard the significance as p<0.01 and p<0.05. Results: The advanced age pregnancy ratio is 1.47% among the 21232 women. Preeclampsia, preterm birth, gestational diabetes mellitus, caesarian section are found statiscally high for advanced age pregnancy. Birth week and weight are significantly high for the women aged 20-29. Ablatio placenta, IUGR, neonatal intensive care unit requirement, 5th minute APGAR score and intrauterine fetal death ratios do not statistically significantly differ. Conclusion: The advanced age pregnancy is a risk factor and it increases the caesarian section rates. In our country family planning is not very effective; therefore advanced age pregnancy is often seen till the end of reproductive age. The best precaution to be taken is to advice strongly that the women aged 40 and over should give birth in the hospitals. Copyright © 2014 by Türkiye Klinikleri.