[Pregnancy and delivery after 40 years of age].

BACKGROUND

In order to study the risks involved with advanced maternal age, pregnancy and delivery of all the women after forty (n = 551) who attended the Obstetrical and Gynecological Clinic of the Palermo University from January 1, 1981 to December 31, 1990 have been examined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A control group, consisting of women aged 21 to 26 (n = 7980) who attended the Clinic during the same time period, was used for comparison. Each group was analysed for the following parameters: pregnancy complications, time and outcome of deliveries, rate and indications for cesarean section, neonatal outcomes.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The results show no significant differences in the factors analysed between the two groups observed, except for an increased rate of abortions and Cesarean sections in the study group and an increased rate of premature rupture of membranes in the control group.