Pregnancies in Women Aged 45 Years and Older – a 10-Year Retrospective Analysis in Berlin

Abstract Introduction Improved fertility treatment options and a change in the socio-cultural concept of family planning, especially in industrialized regions, has led to an increasing number of births by women of advanced maternal age, which is associated with a higher rate of complications. The aim of this study was to analyze pregnancy outcomes in women aged ≥ 45 years in an inner-city German hospital and to compare these results to those of a younger cohort. Materials and Methods Over a 10-year period from January 2004 to May 2015, the pregnancy outcomes of all 186 women aged ≥ 45 years who delivered in our hospital were compared in a 1 : 1 ratio to those of a cohort of 29-year old women. Results The rates of assisted reproduction (34 vs. 3 %), multiple pregnancies (16 vs. 5 %) and cesarean section (59 vs. 29 %) were significantly increased in the study group. There was an increased risk of preterm delivery (28 vs. 11 %), preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and premature rupture of membranes in the advanced maternal age group. Conclusion Advanced maternal age leads to higher rates of fetal and maternal complications. These findings should be taken into account when planning assisted reproduction and obstetrical care in women with advanced maternal age.