Abstract

Introduction: It is known for many years, that grand multiparity is associated with poor pregnancy outcome with or without considering increasing maternal age. Aim: To examine the impact of grand multiparity on pregnancy outcome in young women aged 18–34 years (Young grand multiparas). Material and Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.

Key words: grand multiparity, neonatal complications, maternal complications, parity outcome, maternal age.