RESUMEN
In a recent study at the Yaounde-Cameroon University Teaching Hospital, we found that delivery at extreme ages of reproductive health was associated with increased foetal and maternal risks. However we were not able to evaluate the impact of advanced age on exposure do different risks observed. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that deliveries of women aged 40 years and above were associated with increased risk. Data collection was retrospective from delivery room registers at the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital Between 01/01/1991 - 31/12/2000. The deliveries of 180 women in their forties were compared with those of 532 women in their twenties. The software EPI Info 6 and SPSS were used in analysis. At unvaried analysis, the risk of delivery by caesarean section for women in their forties (16.1%) was significantly high compared to women in their twenties (10.0%), (HR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1-2.8; p = 0.027). After adjustment for different factors associated with the occurrence of delivery by caesarean section, its risk for women aged 40 and above remained significantly increased (HR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.0-2.9; p = 0.039). Similar observation was found for stillbirth with 11.7% by women aged 40 and above compared to 5.8% by women in their twenties (HR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1-3.9; p = 0.011). After adjustment for different factors associated with mortinatality, its occurrence remained significantly increased at age 40 and above (HR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.6; p = 0.032). Women aged 40 years and above had an increased risk of stillbirth and delivery by caesarean section than those in their twenties. Studies are needed to establish the exact causes of these risks and evaluate management options in these women.
