Grandmultiparity: a continuing problem in developing countries

Four hundred and thirty-one grandmultiparae and 1,070 less parous women who delivered at Civil Hospital, Karachi over a 2-year period (Jan. 1982 to Dec. 1983) have been reviewed retrospectively. The purpose was to estimate the incidence of grandmultiparity at this hospital and compare the incidence of obstetric and medical complications in the grandmultiparae with the less parous women. A higher incidence of anaemia, spontaneous abortions, abruptio placentae, postpartum haemorrhage, spontaneous uterine rupture and fetal loss was found in the grandmultiparae compared with other parturients. The grandmultipara continues to be a "high-risk" obstetric problem.