Occurrence of complications in the gestational period in women of advanced maternal age

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the association between complications and advanced maternal age during pregnancy. Method: retrospective study of quantitative approach based on the analysis of medical records of women of advanced age whose delivery occurred in a teaching hospital in southern Brazil. The collection took place from 2015 to 2018. Analyses were performed using Pearson’s Chi-Square and/or Fisher’s exact tests, Mann-Whitney U and prevalence ratio. Results: 1,336 medical records were evaluated. Pre-gestational systemic arterial hypertension, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus presented higher mean maternal age. Women aged over 40 years were 1.06 times more likely to develop preeclampsia and 1.33 times to develop intrauterine growth restriction. Conclusion: the increased age showed a relationship with complications, especially in pregnant women aged over 40 years.