Influence of advanced maternal on obstetric performance of pregnant women attending General Hospital, Calabar

Abstract

Elderly women are faced with obstetric risks with poor neonatal outcomes. Based on this assumption, this retrospective study aims at determining the influence of advanced maternal age on the obstetric performance of pregnant women. The records of deliveries in General Hospital, Calabar from January 2003 to December 2005 was therefore reviewed using a checklist. A total of seventy one (71) cases, aged 40years and above who received obstetric care during this period were studied. Data was
analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings showed that 44(62%) of the subjects developed hypertension in pregnancy while 27(38%) did not; 45(63.4%) delivered by caesarean section while 26(36.6%) had normal vaginal delivery Foetal and neonatal mortality revealed that 16(22.5%) of cases resulted in intra-uterine deaths (fresh still births) included, and 55(77.5%) life births. Findings revealed a significant relationship between advanced maternal age and hypertension in pregnancy (X2 cal= 29.8, df 2> critical x2 = 5.991.). There is also significant relationship between maternal age and delivery by caesarean section (x2 cal = 30.9; df = 2> critical x2 = 5.991). There is significant relationship between advanced maternal age, foetal and neonatal mortality (x2 cal =65.2; df = 2>critical x2 = 5.991). Based on findings, special antenatal care for pregnant women aged 40years and above was
recommended.