Obstetric outcome in grand multipara in the United Arab Emirates. A case control study

Objective: To compare the obstetric outcome in grand multiparous and low parous United Arab Emirates women. Method: The records of 418 grand multiparous women (study group), defined as having had given birth at least 5 times after completed 22 weeks gestational age, and 418 women of parity 2-4 (control group) were reviewed. Results: Mean parity in the study group was 7.9±2.4. The number of subjects who attended for antenatal care and the number of visits were equal in both groups. Diabetes mellitus (both overt and gestational) was significantly more common in the study group (p<0.0001) but there was no significant increase in the incidence of other obstetric complications nor in perinatal mortality rate. Babies of grand multiparous mothers required significantly more admissions to special care unit because of maternal diabetes mellitus (p<0.0002). Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus was more common in grand multiparous United Arab Emirates women but the incidence of other obstetric complications was similar to lower parity women.