Abstract

PIP: This editorial addresses the issues raised by Berkowitz and her coworkers, who studied the pregnancy outcome of 3917 primiparous women (women who are 30 years or older and pregnant for the 1st time). The study found that this population had a slight increased risk of delivering low birth weight infants, and no increased risk in having a small for gestational age infant, an infant with low Apgar scores, or one which died in the perinatal period. Also, the study population presented with a higher rate of antepartum complications, and a substantial increased likely hood of a cesarian section for women who are older that 35 years. The author argues that the data presents encouraging news to women in their 30's and are contemplating their 1st pregnancy. Although other studies have shown that older women are more likely to deliver infants with chromosomal abnormalities, it should be noted that advances in genetic diagnosis provide women with accurate information to permit them to make necessary decisions. However, Berkowitz's findings should be interpreted with the limitation of the characteristics of the studied population, who were private patients, predominantly white, married, college educated and non-smoking.