Prognosis of childbirth at extreme ages of reproductive life in the maternity service of the communal medical center of Ratoma

Abstract

Introduction: The objectives of this study were to describe the socio-demographic characteristics and to assess the maternal and fetal prognosis of childbirth at the extreme ages of reproductive life at the Maternity Hospital of the Ratoma CMC.

Methodology: This was an analytical and comparative observational study of the case-control type lasting 6 months from December 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021.

Results: the frequency of childbirth at the extreme ages of life reproductive rate was 22.97%. The mean age of adolescent girls was 17.9 years and parturients aged ≥ 35 years had a mean age of 36.74 years. The socio demographic profile of parturients was that of a married woman (97.80%), no schooling (33.80%), and a liberal profession (41.80%). Our results show that some risks were significantly higher at extreme ages. Cesarean delivery was 35.76% at extreme ages versus 29.18% for controls. Maternal complications such as postpartum haemorrhage and obstructed labor were more common in extreme-age deliveries (7.29% and 19.52%) compared to controls (1.41% and 5 , 65%). The maternal case fatality rate among extreme-aged deliveries was 2.35% ₀ with a stillbirth rate of 54.12% ₀ against 43.53% ₀.

Conclusion: Deliveries at the extreme ages of reproductive life were common in this study. They remain associated with a poor maternal and fetal prognosis. We noted an inflation of the cesarean section rate, obstructed labor, postpartum hemorrhage, and prematurity were common complications. These pregnancies require regular prenatal  follow-up for the early detection of pathological pregnancies requiring appropriate care.