Author(s)

Rawan A. Gari^1*, Ghaday M. Alrefaei², Shatha A. Alsuwaida², Zahra M. Alalwan², Zahraa H. Aljeshi², Amenah H. Al Jumah²

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
²Faculty of medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Advanced maternal age, over 35 years, is a well-known risk factor for poor pregnancy outcomes. It is commonly associated with various pregnancy complications, such as spontaneous miscarriage, preeclampsia/ toxemia, gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm labor, stillbirth, chromosomal abnormalities, and cesarean delivery. Objectives: This study assessed obstetric and neonatal complications associated with advanced maternal age. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 199 pregnant women over 35 years old at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from January to June 2022. We gathered data on age, nationality, number of antenatal visits, results of ultrasound scans for dating and viability, nuchal translucency and anatomy surveys, medications and multivitamins taken during pregnancy, smoking status, pregnancy, and fetal complications, and mode of delivery. Results: The prevalence of obstetric complications was 71.4% (preeclampsia/toxemia, 4.5%; antepartum hemorrhage, 4%; postpartum hemorrhage, 1%; and gestational diabetes, 23.1%). The most frequent complication was preterm labor between 34 and 36 weeks (48%), and only 12.6% of all deliveries were associated with fetal and neonatal complications such as congenital anomalies and neonatal jaundice. The prevalence of anemia during pregnancy was 10.1%, 21.1%, and 28.6% in the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively, and pregnancies complicated with antepartum or postpartum hemorrhage were associated with higher rates of anemia in the second trimester. A significant relationship was found between mean maternal age (38.84 ± 2.75 years) and the development of maternal complications (p < 0.05). Newborns with neonatal complications were much more likely to be born to mothers with a history of antepartum hemorrhage and anemia in the second trimester. Conclusion: Our findings confirm that pregnancy at an advanced maternal age is associated with increased overall maternal complications. The most frequent complication was preterm labor (48%). Other complications, such as preeclampsia/toxemia, antepartum hemorrhage, postpartum hemorrhage, gestational diabetes, and anemia, were less frequent in the sample we reviewed.

Advanced Maternal Age, Preeclampsia/Toxemia, Pregnancy Outcomes, Com-plications, KAUH, Jeddah

Gari, R. , Alrefaei, G. , Alsuwaida, S. , Alalwan, Z. , Aljeshi, Z. and Jumah, A. (2023) Obstetric Outcomes in Advanced Maternal Age among Women at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 13, 108-120. doi: 10.4236/ojog.2023.131013.