Pregnancies in Elderly Mothers over 40 years: What to Expect from the Rising New Age High-Risk Cohort?

INTRODUCTION: Elderly women are believed to experience many risks associated with pregnancy. Literature fails to provide a clear consensus on the age group in which there is a rise in risk and pathophysiology contributing. 'Pregnancies over forty' are increasing in society, owing to changing lifestyles and sensibilities of youth and the advent of assisted reproductive techniques. In India, studies on elderly pregnant women above 40 years of age are lacking. The aim of this study is to assess these pregnancies, their course, obstetric and perinatal outcomes in women delivering above 40 years.

METHODS: The study group (Group A) comprised of pregnancies in 50 women at age ≥ 40 years on the date of delivery. The control group (Group B) had 50 women who delivered subsequent to the study group and age < 40. Various parameters and outcomes including parity, gestational age, number of gestations, co-existing medical illnesses, the incidence of hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (HDP), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pre-term labor, mode of delivery, birth weight and obstetric and neonatal outcomes were compared. Chi-square test and independent T test were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: While a good number of patients conceived spontaneously and with basic infertility management, i.e., 84% in the elderly gravid group (Group A) and 96% in the control group (Group B), the number of patients who required ART in Group A were statistically significant (Group A 16% and Group B 4%). Incidence of pre-existing medical diseases like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, other auto-immune diseases and chronic diseases were noted to be high (26%) in Group A (statistically significant difference). Incidence of HDP, GDM and fetal growth restriction were high in Group A. Tendency to have the presence of fibroid uterus was high in patients in Group A, i.e., 24%, compared to only 8% in the control group; difference was statistically significant. Proportion of pre-term deliveries were high in Group A. Cesarean section rate was high in Group A, though it was not statistically significant. Other perinatal observations and neonatal outcomes were comparable in both groups; differences were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: The study reveals an association of a high-risk course of pregnancies in women above the age of 40 years. Proportions of IVF pregnancies are higher in elderly women. Interestingly, the proportion of women in elderly group who conceived spontaneously and with basic infertility management including IUI was 84% in the present study. Medical comorbidities and incidence of fibroids were high in elderly women. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes of these pregnancies when managed efficiently are favorable.