Maternal and neonatal outcomes of grand multiparity in Khartoum, Sudan.

Objectives: Grand multiparity is a major health problem that leads to adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. We aimed to assess the maternal and perinatal outcomes of grand multiparity. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in Saad Abualila Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan from February to December 2019. The cases were grand multiparous (≥ 5 deliveries) women. The controls were women with low parity (multiparous women who delivered two to four times). Maternal and perinatal characteristics were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: There was a significant association between grand multiparity and higher maternal age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.16-1.23), lower education level (AOR=3.38, 95% CI=2.49-5.58) and lower antenatal care attendance (AOR=1.73, 95% CI=1.02-2.92). Grand multiparous women were at increased risk for Anemia (AOR=1.48, 95% CI=1.08-2.03), diabetes mellitus (AOR=10.61, 95% CI=4.89-23.00), caesarean delivery (AOR=1.87, 95% CI=1.40-2.48), preterm birth (AOR=1.90, 95% CI=1.37-2.62) and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (AOR=3.8, 95% CI=1.95-7.75). Conclusions: Grand multiparity was associated with poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. Development of a national health program addressing family planning, health education and improvement of antenatal, intrapartum and neonatal care are needed.

Maternal age and miscarriage: A unique association curve in Sudan

This study's aim was to estimate the prevalence and maternal age and other risk factors of miscarriage among Sudanese women. Across-sectional study was conducted at the Saad Abuelela Tertiary Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan, from February to December 2019. Sociodemographic, obstetric and clinical data were collected. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Four hundred thirteen (20.5%) women reported experiencing a miscarriage. Risk factors included older age, high parity, histories of caesarean delivery, and obesity. Logistic regression showed that the lowest risk for women aged less than 20 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.33) or 20 to 24 years (AOR, 0.57), primiparas (AOR, 0.42) and women educated below the secondary level (AOR, 0.78). Unlike the global age-associated risk of miscarriage, the risk of miscarriage among Sudanese women follows a unique curve in relation to maternal age. Interestingly, the curve showed a lower risk for women less than 20 years and at 40 years. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26 [7]: 15-21).