Effect of Grand Multiparity on Pregnancy Outcomes in Women Under 35 Years of Age: a Comparative Study

It is known for many years, that grand multiparity is associated with poor pregnancy outcome with or without considering increasing maternal age.

To examine the impact of grand multiparity on pregnancy outcome in young women aged 18-34 years (Young grand multiparas).

A prospective comparative cross-sectional study conducted at Omdurman Maternity Hospital, Sudan from January to September 2018. A standard questionnaire was used to gather data on pregnancy outcome in the low-risk group, grand multiparas age < 35 years and grand multiparas age ≥ 35 years. The association between variables was tested with Chi-square test.

Young grand multiparas have a significant risk of PPH and increased length of hospital stay => 3 days and babies born to young grand multiparas women were more likely of low birth weight and have a higher rate of admission to NICU. Young grand multiparas were similar in their maternal and fetal complication to low-risk pregnancies and significantly less in several complications when compared to older grand multiparas women.

Young grand multiparas are less likely to develop several pregnancy complications compared to older grand multiparas women. The occurrences of intra-partum complications match that in low-risk pregnancy.