High blood lead levels (BLL) in pregnancy are associated with poor pregnancy outcome and neuro-behavioral deficits in infants. We investigated the prevalence of high BLL in pregnant women and its impact on pregnancy outcome in Kuwait. Blood from 194 mother-infant pairs were analyzed for lead by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Data were collected on birth weight, crown-heel length, head circumference, APGAR score, gestational age, and placental weight. Results revealed that 28% of pregnant women and 58% of infants had BLL >10 g/dL. Cord BLL was significantly higher than maternal BLL (10.92 vs. 5.77 g/dL, p < .001). Maternal BLL was not significantly associated with any of the outcome variables tested, whereas, cord BLL was a significant negative predictor of APGAR score only in boys. A significant proportion of pregnant women and their children in Kuwait have lead levels well above the safety limit, which is a matter of public health concern.

Différences en matière d'issues de grossesse et leurs prédicteurs entre les diverses nationalités résidant au KoweïtRÉSUMÉ La présente étude visait à analyser les différences en matière d'issue de grossesse entre les différentes nationalités résidant au Koweït. Des données transversales ont été recueillies auprès de 369 dyades mère-nouveauné au moment de l'accouchement sur la taille de la mère, l'hémoglobine (Hb) maternelle, l'hémoglobine de l'enfant (Hbe), le périmètre brachial (PB), l'âge gestationnel, le poids du placenta (PP), le poids de naissance (PN), la taille vertex-talon (TVT), et le périmètre crânien (PC). Des différences significatives ont été observées entre les diverses nationalités en ce qui concerne l'Hb maternelle, le PC, le LVT, le PP et la taille de la mère. Les femmes koweïtiennes et indiennes présentaient un PP plus faible et leurs bébés avaient un PC et une TVT inférieures. La prévalence de l'anémie (Hb <11,0 g/dL) était comprise entre 7,1 % (Libanaises) et 30,0 % (Koweïtiennes) avec une prévalence globale de 19,5 %. La prévalence du faible poids de naissance était de 3,5 %. L'analyse de régression linéaire multiple a révélé que le PP constituait un facteur prédictif pour le PN, la LVT et le PC. Des différences significatives ont été observées entre les diverses nationalités en termes d'Hb maternelle, de PC, de LVT, de PP et de taille de la mère. L'importance de ces différences et les facteurs qui y contribuent nécessitent des recherches supplémentaires. ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate differences in pregnancy outcome among various nationalities residing in Kuwait. Cross-sectional data were collected from 369 mother-infant dyads at delivery on mother height (MH), mother haemoglobin (mHb), child haemoglobin (cHb), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), gestational age (GA), placental weight (PW), birth weight (BW), crown-heal length (CHL), and head circumference (HC). Significant differences among various nationalities were observed in mHb, HC, CHL, PW and MH. Kuwaiti and Indian women had lower PW and their babies had lower HC and CHL. Prevalence of anaemia (Hb <11.0 g/dL) ranged from 7.1% (Lebanese) to 30.0% (Kuwaiti) with the overall prevalence of 19.5%. Prevalence of low birth weight was 3.5%. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed PW as a significant predictor of BW, CHL and HC. Significant differences among various nationalities were observed in mHb, HC, CHL, PW and MH.The significance of these differences and their contributing factors needs further research. ‫الكويت‬ ‫يف‬ ‫املقيمة‬ ‫املختلفة‬ ‫اجلنسيات‬ ‫بني‬ ‫ومنبئاته‬ ‫احلمل‬ ‫نتائج‬ ‫يف‬ ‫االختالفات‬

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

We investigated differences in maternal and infant related birth variables among various nationalities residing in Kuwait and evaluated major predictors of pregnancy outcome. In a cross‐sectional study, pregnant women admitted for deliveries between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm over a three‐month period were recruited from Al‐Sabah Maternity Hospital, Kuwait. Data were collected from 369 mother‐infant dyads on mother height (MH), mother hemoglobin (mHb), child hemoglobin (cHb), mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC), gestational age (GA), placental weight (PW), birth weight (BW), crown‐heal length (CHL), and head circumference (HC). PW/BW ratio was analyzed. Study sample comprised of 21.7% Kuwaitis, 22% Egyptians, 12.2% Indians, 11.4% Syrians, 7.6% Lebanese and 25.1% others. Significant differences among various nationalities were observed in mHb, HC, CHL, PW and MH. Kuwaiti and Indian women had lower PW and their babies had lower HC and CHL. Prevalence of anemia (Hb <11.0 g/dL) ranged from 29.6% (Egyptians) to 57.5% (Kuwaiti) with the overall prevalence of 42.7%. Prevalence of low birth weight in this sample was 3.5%. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed PW as a significant predictor of BW, CHL and HC. In conclusion, significant differences among different nationalities were observed in mHb, HC, CHL, PW and MH and these differences were significantly predicted by PW and MH. The significance of these differences and their contributing factors needs further research.