HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Correction (v109,p1002) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Simchen, M. J. Articles by Sivan, E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Simchen, M. J. Articles by Sivan, E. Related Collections General obstetrics Infertility including ART Medical complications of pregnancy Obstetric complications of pregnancy Preterm labor

Pregnancy Outcome After Age 50

From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pregnancy complications occurring after age 50.

METHODS: We compared the pregnancy outcomes of women aged 50–64 years with those aged 45–49 years and with the general population.

RESULTS: During 5 years from January 1, 1999, to June 30, 2004, 123 women aged 45 years and older gave birth. Fifty-five percent were nulliparous, 24 of 123 were aged 50–64 years, and 99 of 123 women were aged 45–49 years. All women older than age 50 conceived via in vitro fertilization with oocyte donation. For these 123 women, the overall mean gestational age at delivery was 37.6±2.6 weeks. The mean birth weight was 2,684±754 g, significantly lower than the general population, and the incidences of multifetal pregnancies, diabetes, and hypertension were high. Women aged 50 years and older were more likely to be hospitalized during pregnancy than women younger than 50 years (63% versus 22%, P<.001). Neonatal outcome was generally good. Women aged 50 years and older gave birth to significantly more low birth weight babies than those younger than age 50 years (61% versus 32%, P=.002). Gestational age and birth weight were both significantly lower for singletons and multiples in women older than age 50 years compared with those younger than age 50 years (gestational age of singletons 36.9 versus 38.4 weeks, P=.005; birth weight of singletons 2,694 versus 3,027 g, P=.019; gestational age of multiples 35.1 versus 36.4 weeks, P=.01; birth weight of multiples 1,976 versus 2,310 g, P=.038, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Pregnant women aged 50–64 years have increased risks of preterm birth, low birth weight babies, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hospitalization.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2