Ethnic differences in pregnancy outcome and its predictors in Kuwait (806.9)

Abstract

Background: Kuwait is a multi‐ethnic society with two‐third of the population comprises expatriates of various nationalities. In this research, we evaluated the major predictors of pregnancy outcome, and tested whether there are ethnic differences in maternal variables, and infant related birth attributes.Methods: Women (n=369) admitted to the Al‐Sabah Maternity Hospital Kuwait for deliveries were recruited in this study. Data were collected on mother height (MH), hemoglobin (Hb), mid‐upper arm circumference, blood pressure, placental weight (PW), birth weight (BW), crown‐heal length (CHL), and head circumference (HC). PW/BW ratio was also calculated.Results: Linear regression analysis showed PW as a significant predictor of BW, CHL and HC and MH as a significant predictor of BW and CHL. Both PW and MH were significantly lower in Kuwaiti and Indian women compared to Egyptian, Syrian or Lebanese women. Parallel to these, Kuwaiti and Indian women had babies with significantly lower HC and CHL values. Hb was significantly lower in Kuwaiti women compared to other ethnic groups, whereas, BW did not differ significantly.Conclusion: Significant ethnic differences were observed in CHL and HC and these differences were predicted by PW and MH. Further research is needed to elucidate the significance of these differences in pregnancy outcome and factors that contribute to these differences.Grant Funding Source: Supported by KU Graduate Student Grant