Outcome of post-term pregnancy: a matched-pair case-control study.

AIM: Matched-case control study was performed to assess perinatal mortality and feto-maternal morbidity related to the post-term pregnancy.

METHODS

124 patients who delivered after 42 weeks of pregnancy were matched by age and parity with a control group of patients who delivered at term. Perinatal mortality and neonatal morbidity, as well as maternal morbidity were analyzed in both groups and differences tested for statistical significance.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in perinatal mortality between the two groups (1 vs. 0; p>0.05). A statistically significant difference was found in the umbilical cord blood sample base excess after delivery in the post-term group. Cesarean section rate was higher in the post-term group (-6.1 vs. -4.9, p<0.05). If spontaneous labor occurred, there were no statistically significant differences in any of the analyzed parameters between the groups (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Post-term pregnancy was related to higher maternal and neonatal morbidity, but the risks were biased by higher induction of labor rate and more frequent monitoring resulting in a higher intervention rate.