Maternal and neonatal outcomes of grand multiparity in Khartoum, Sudan

Grand multiparity is a major health problem that leads to adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. We aimed to assess the maternal and perinatal outcomes of grand multiparity.

A case-control study was conducted in Saad Abualila Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan from February to December 2019. The cases were grand multiparous (≥ 5 deliveries) women. The controls were women with low parity (multiparous women who delivered two to four times). Maternal and perinatal characteristics were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed.

There was a significant association between grand multiparity and higher maternal age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.16-1.23), lower education level (AOR=3.38, 95% CI=2.49-5.58) and lower antenatal care attendance (AOR=1.73, 95% CI=1.02-2.92). Grand multiparous women were at increased risk for Anemia (AOR=1.48, 95% CI=1.08-2.03), diabetes mellitus (AOR=10.61, 95% CI=4.89-23.00), caesarean delivery (AOR=1.87, 95% CI=1.40-2.48), preterm birth (AOR=1.90, 95% CI=1.37-2.62) and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (AOR=3.8, 95% CI=1.95-7.75).

Grand multiparity was associated with poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. Development of a national health program addressing family planning, health education and improvement of antenatal, intrapartum and neonatal care are needed.