Case Series
 
Childbearing at very advanced maternal age, the challenges and complications: A report of two cases
Felix Mwembi Oindi1, Evan Sequeira2, Steve Kyende Mutiso1
1BSc. (Hons) Medical Physiology, MBChB, Resident, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
2M.B.B.S., D.G.O., M.D., F.I.C.O.G, Senior Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecolo–gist, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya

Article ID: Z01201711CS10093FO
doi:10.5348/ijcri-201713-CS-10093

Address correspondence to:
Felix Mwembi Oindi
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Aga Khan University, P.O. Box 30270-00100
Nairobi, Kenya

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How to cite this article
Oindi FM, Sequeira E, Mutiso SK. Childbearing at very advanced maternal age, the challenges and complications: A report of two cases. Int J Case Rep Images 2017;8(11):692–697.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The desire for childbearing at very advanced maternal age (maternal age =45 years at the time of delivery) is becoming increasingly common. This has resulted in increased demand and utilization of assisted reproductive technologies to counteract the declining fecundity associated with the advanced maternal age. However, the older gravidas are at increased risk of having various medical conditions with potential adverse impact on their pregnancies making such pregnancies be considered as high risk pregnancies.
Case Series: We present two cases of very advanced maternal age pregnancies (54-year-old and 49-year-old), both conceived through assisted reproductive technology, we successfully managed through their pregnancies outlining the conception challenges, pregnancy complications and the subsequent management and outcomes. We further undertake a literature review to assess the challenges and outcomes of pregnancies at very advanced maternal age.
Conclusion: Childbearing at very advanced maternal age is challenging from conception to delivery. Owing to the age related decline in fertility, most of these women require assisted reproductive technology (ART). Moreover, they are more likely to have adverse pregnancy outcomes principally stemming from preterm births with a resultant greater maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. With the increasing trend towards delayed child bearing, and owing to the anticipated adverse pregnancy outcomes, the hospitals and physicians needs to equip themselves for the increased demand for ART and the need for sophisticated prenatal, perinatal and postpartum care.

Keywords: Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), Assisted reproductive technology (ART), In vitro fertilization (IVF), Very advanced maternal age (VAMA)


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Author Contributions
Felix Mwembi Oindi – Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Evan Sequeira – Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Steve Kyende Mutiso – Substantial contributions to conception and design, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Guarantor
The corresponding author is the guarantor of submission.
Source of support
None
Conflict of interest
Authors declare no conflict of interest.
Copyright
© 2017 Felix Mwembi Oindi et al. This article is distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original author(s) and original publisher are properly credited. Please see the copyright policy on the journal website for more information.