Induction of labor in women over 35 years: How does it affect the outcome?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Compare fetal and labor outcomes following induction of labor in singleton pregnant women over 35 years (>35) with women between 20 to 30 years (20-30) METHOD: This was a retrospective study carried out at North Colombo Teaching Hospital using North Colombo Obstetric Database (NORCOD) between March 2014 and May 2016. Two hundred and ninety six singleton pregnancies that underwent induction of labor were included. Women had been categorized into two groups based on their age. They were 20-30 years (20- 30) and above 35 years (>35). Two groups were matched against their booking visit body mass index. Labor and fetal outcomes of each group were assessed. RESULTS: Lower segment Caesarean section (LSCS) rates observed in 20-30 and >35 groups were 16.2% (N=24) and 17.6% (N=26) respectively (P>0.05). Newborns of induced pregnancies of 20-30 mothers had an APGAR <7 at 5min in 1.4% (N=2) and 2.7% (N=4) babies of women >35 had an APGAR <7 at 5 min (P>0.05). Induced pregnancies of 20-30 mothers reported 16.2% (N=24) NICU admissions and >35 years group had 20.3% (N=30) NICU admissions (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference between the two groups in terms of LSCS rates, low 5 min APGAR and NICU admissions.