Abstract
Objectives: To assess the maternal age trend in pregnant women in Flanders, Belgium, and examine the impact of maternal age on maternal mortality. Study design: Retrospective analysis of a population based regional perinatal database during one decade. Results: Between 1991 and 2000 a significant increase in maternal age was found, in primiparous as well as in multiparous women. The maternal mortality ratio was 5.8, and strongly related to maternal age, with a relative risk of 7.0 (95% CI: 3.0-16.2) from the age of 35 on, and of 30.0 (95% CI: 11.4-80.6) in women aged 40 years or beyond. Conclusions: These data call for further research and action to facilitate career and reproduction, and for special care for older pregnant women.
| Original language | English (UK) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 19-22 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology |
| Volume | 114 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 10 May 2004 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Maternal age
- Maternal mortality