Pregnancy outcomes in women greater than 45 years: a cohort control study in a multi-ethnic inner city population

Abstract

Objective

To examine the pregnancy outcomes of women >45 years in a multi-ethnic population when compared to controls and to reflect on socio-demographic details of the older mothers.

Design

A retrospective cohort control study over an 8-year period in an inner city London hospital with multi-ethnic population. The influence of advanced maternal age (>45 years at time of delivery) on fetal and maternal outcomes was assessed by comparing these women to controls (aged 20–30 years) matched for ethnicity, country of origin and parity.

Results

Data from 64 cases and 64 controls were compared. Ninety percent of the index group had undergone assisted conception. Mothers >45 years had a fourfold increase in cesarean section (35/64 vs 8/64), a threefold increase in blood loss (669.2 vs 272.4 ml) (both p < 0.001) and were more likely to have preterm birth (12/64 vs 3/64) (p < 0.05). Only 5 % of the 64 women were born in the United Kingdom, 52 % were unemployed and 50 % were not fluent in English. Seventy-five percent of the study population were multiparous, 52 % of the pregnancies were unplanned and 90 % had conceived spontaneously.

Conclusion

In an inner city immigrant population, older mothers >45 years were more likely to have cesarean sections, postpartum hemorrhage and premature deliveries. Moreover, social and demographic factors suggest that late child bearing is influenced by cultural factors such as acceptance of large families and lack of contraception.