International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics
Volume 102, Issue 3 , Pages 237-241, September 2008

Effect of parity and advanced maternal age on obstetric outcome

  • Ben Chong-Pun Chan

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong. Tel.: +852 28553401; fax: +852 28175374.
    • ,
  • Terence Tsz-Hsi Lao

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong

Received 9 April 2008; received in revised form 26 April 2008; accepted 2 May 2008. published online 08 July 2008.

Abstract 

Objectives

To examine the effect of parity on obstetric outcome in women aged 40 years or older.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of 16 427 singleton pregnancies delivered between 1998 and 2001 was studied. Obstetric outcomes in women aged 40 years or older versus women younger than 40 years were compared for both nulliparous and multiparous women.

Results

Of the 15 727 pregnancies (95.7%) that satisfied the inclusion criteria, 606 (3.9%) were in women aged 40 years or older. Advanced age was independently associated with cesarean delivery, birth and spontaneous preterm labor before 37 weeks, and low birth weight neonates in nulliparous women, but only with preterm birth before 37 weeks and cesarean delivery in multiparous women.

Conclusion

Obstetric outcome in women aged 40 years or older was influenced by parity. Cesarean delivery and preterm birth before 37 weeks were independently associated with older age irrespective of parity. Advanced age is a risk factor for preterm birth.

Keywords: Cesarean delivery, Maternal age, Parity, Pregnancy outcome, Preterm birth

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PII: S0020-7292(08)00234-8

doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2008.05.004

International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics
Volume 102, Issue 3 , Pages 237-241, September 2008

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