An Observational Study to Find Impact of Maternal Age at First Pregnancy on Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes

Abstract Introduction: Maternal age plays a vital role in pregnancy outcome. It has an impact on pregnancy outcomes at both ends of the reproductive spectrum (less than 20 years and more than 35 years). With the change in fertility policy and socio-economic development, maternal age at childbearing has dramatically changed worldwide in the past decades. So the purpose of the study is find association between maternal age at first pregnancy and adverse fetomaternal outcome so that it will help to provide targeted surveillance, close supervision during antepartum and intrapartum period and timed obstetrical intervention so as to improve pregnancy outcome Methods: This observational study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, in a tertiary care institute located in central India, over a period of 12 months. 250 primigravida women in different age groups were studied in terms of maternal and perinatal outcome. Data was studied and statistically analysed. Results: Women > 35 years were more likely to have Abruptio placentae (25%), Placentae previa (8.3%), preeclampsia (33.3%), eclampsia (8,3%), Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (8.3%), LBW (33.3%), APGAR (33.3%) whereas women <25 years were more likely to have Anemia ((24.4%), LBW (11%), APGAR<7(17.1%), NICU Admission of their babies (16.5%) and perinatal mortality (5.4%)