Document Type

Article

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.

Comments

This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University.

Publication (Name of Journal)

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

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