Single indication of labor induction with prostaglandins: is advanced maternal age a risk factor for cesarean section? A matched retrospective cohort study

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate if advance maternal age is an independent risk factor for cesarean section in women induced with prostaglandins. Only patients with a single indication for induction of labor were considered. Methods: A matched retrospective cohort study was conducted. A study group of 112 women aged 35 or older was enrolled. The control group included 216 women aged 34 or younger. Multivariate logistical regression models were fitted for the prediction of the cesarean section. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in characteristics of the patients in the study and control groups. However, a higher prevalence of nulliparous women was found in control group (p = 0.002). The indications of labor induction were homogeneous in the two groups. No significant differences were found in the route of delivery. The median time of labor was significantly shorter in the study group (p = 0.002), and the birth weight and the placental weight were significantly lower in the study group. Advanced maternal age and newborn weight were directly related, whereas time of labor, Bishop score and parity were inversely related to a higher cesarean rate. Conclusions: When single indication of induction of labor with prostaglandins is considered, advanced maternal age represents a significant independent risk factor for cesarean delivery.