RESUMO
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: evaluate biological and medical characteristics of the grand multipara and her offspring in the neonatal period. TYPE OF STUDY: comparative and retrospective. SITE: Hospital of the Jundiai School of Medicine. PATIENTS: study group--134 grand multiparas; control group--100 primiparas. All patients were admitted to the Franco da Rocha Hospital, the maternity school of the Jundiai School of Medicine. INTERVENTION: analytical study. MEASURES AND RESULTS: hypertension, haemorrhage, twins, premature labor, pelvic location, and anemia were the complications seen in group 1. Cesarean section was indicated in the presence of a prior cesarean section, and fetal distress was the indication followed in group 2. Post partum damage to soft tissue was more prevalent in group 1. Premature labor and perinatal mortality were more frequent in group 1. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that GMP were women with a high risk and, thus, they suggest adequate antenatal assistance as an important measure to decrease perinatal and maternal mortality.