Neonatal outcome of babies born to women 40 years and over at the University Hospital of the West Indies 2012-2013

Abstract

Aim: This article aims to determine neonatal outcome of babies born to women ≥ 40 years at the University Hospital of the West Indies. Methods: This was a matched retrospective cohort study looking at the outcome of all babies born to women ≥ 40 years and control babies born to women aged 20-30 years at the University Hospital of the West Indies over a 2-year period. Maternal and neonatal demographic data and course of admission for admitted neonates were recorded. Descriptive analyses were performed. Results: One hundred and ninety-eight neonates were born to women≥40 years and 208 to their younger counterparts, M:F 1:1.2. There was no difference in the number of preterm or low birth weight infants, the number of neonates with a low 5 min Apgar score < 7, the number of neonates admitted or the number of neonates who died between women≥40 years and their younger counterparts (p > 0.05). Conclusion: No difference in adverse neonatal outcome was noted between women ≥40 years and their younger counterparts.