Outcome of pregnancy in women 35 years of age and above.

Pregnancy outcome among women in the age group of 35 years and more are considered to be less favorable than those of younger women. To observe those, this case control study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital during the period of 1st June 2003 to 31st May 2004. The study includes 100 patients of 35 years of age or above and 100 controls of 20-30 years of age. Observed complications during the pregnancy and delivery were increased incidence of placenta previa, malpresentation, intrauterine death, preterm labour, obstructed labour ruptured uterus etc. Pregnancy related complications were found significantly high (p<0.001) in case group (80%) compared to control group (51%). Rate of caesarian section was also more among the cases. Post delivery maternal complications were more in case group (53%) compared to control (30%) (p<0.001). Perinatal morbidity and mortality was significantly high. Cause of late fetal death in older women include, failure of the uterine vasculature in older women to adapt sufficiently to the increase haemodynamic demands of pregnancy, reduced fetal oxygenation with maternal age and also a rise in the frequency of preexisting hypertension with age. Maternal age is an important and independent risk in pregnancy outcome.