ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to evaluate the risk factors associated with advanced maternal age, and to analyse the relationship between maternal age and the outcome of pregnancy. Method: Over a two- year period [Jan.1993 to Jan. 1995], there were 14615 deliveries after pregnancies of >/= 28 weeks duration at Prince Rashed Ben AI-Hassan Hospital in Irbid, of which 544 pregnant patients were above the age of 40 years. The pregnancy outcome as well as cesarean section rate, malpresentations, multiple pregnancies, antepartum haemorrhage, hypertension, prematurity, fetal distress, stillbirth, neonatal death, fetal congenital abnormalities, small for dates, and large for dates babies of this group were compared with that of the age group below 40. Significant statistical differences were found between the above- and below- 40 year age groups in many of the parameters which include: Cesarean section rate 23.8% versus 5.3% [P<0.001], breech and transverse malpresentations 9.9% versus 3% and 1.8% versus 0.2%, respectively [P<0.001], antepartum haemorrhage 2.2% versus 0.9% [P<0.001], placenta praevia 4.6% versus 0.3% [P<0.001], abruptio placenta 2.7% versus 0.5% [P<0.001], stillbirth 2.31% versus 0.6% [P<0.001], Down's syndrome 1.9% versus 0.1% [P<0.001] and small for dates 6.3% versus 3.6% [p<0.001].This study showed that the increased maternal age is associated with the increased obstetric and perinatal risk in comparison with other age groups. Pre-pregnancy counseling and intensive antenatal assessment is mandatory