Observations on the health of infants at a time of rapid societal change: a longitudinal study from birth to fifteen months in Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country that is undergoing rapid modernisation yet is experiencing high levels of chronic disease; particularly obesity, heart disease and diabetes [1]. Susceptibility to development of chronic disease is influenced by events occurring in early life [2, 3]. This study explores factors influencing health in infancy in a cohort of 125 Emirati infants.

Globally, in 2015 2.7 million children died in their first 28 days of life resulting in a neonatal mortality rate of approximately 19 per 1000 live births [4]. Almost one million neonatal deaths occurred on the day of birth, and close to 2 million in the first week of life [4]. The main causes of death are pre-term birth complications, intrapartum related complications and neonatal sepsis [5]. The infant mortality rate is an important gauge of development, particularly in relation to socio-economic conditions and provision of health care.

In the postnatal period common causes of death and disability include: pre-maturity (birth before 37 weeks of gestation); neonatal sepsis; respiratory infections; neonatal tetanus; cord infections; congenital anomalies; and birth trauma or asphyxia [6]. In developing countries, infections are still a major cause of death and are preventable by ensuring that births take place under hygienic conditions with trained maternity staff.

In the UAE, it is now mandatory for all women to give birth in hospital with trained staff in attendance, and facilities are on a par with many maternity hospitals in developed countries. Neonatal mortality in the UAE has significantly decreased since 1978 from 17.8 deaths per 1000 births to 3.5 deaths per 1000 births in 2015 [7]. This significant decrease reflects the improvements in living standards and quality of health care in the UAE.

Low birth weight (LBW) infants are most at risk of neonatal death; both preterm infants and those small for gestational age (SGA). In south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, over 80% of neonatal deaths are of LBW infants [8]. The prevalence of LBW was estimated to be 15% worldwide in 2011 [9]. Defined as weighing less than 2500 g, LBW is the major determinant of morbidity, mortality and disability among neonates and has a long-term effect on health throughout the lifespan. LBW can be a result of preterm birth or intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR). The highest prevalence of underweight infants is in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa [9]. LBW in the UAE had reduced significantly from 15% in 1995 to 6% in 2012 according to UNICEF country estimates [10, 11]. Factors known to impact on birth weight in the UAE include: closely spaced multiple pregnancies which begin at an early age, childbearing into their 40s, high rates of gestational type 2 diabetes during pregnancy, and high prevalence of maternal anaemia. [12]

The mortality rate in Al Ain in 1991 was reported to be 6.7 per 1000 live births, with higher mortality related to lower birth weight [13]. There was a 50% mortality rate in infants with extremely low birth weight (ELBW; less than 1000 g), 20% in very low birth weight infants (VLBW; 1000–1499 g) and 3.1% in moderately low birth weight infants (1500–2499 g). Further, the mortality rate of infants weighing less than 2500 g was 20 times greater than infants weighing above 2500 g [13]. A total of 54 neonatal deaths were reported in the study, 20 from lethal congenital malformations, while 33 were LBW infants, which accounted for 61% of the neonatal deaths. The neonatal mortality rate among UAE nationals in this study was 5.8 per 1000 live births and 6.7% of infants were of LBW [13].

This study examined factors influencing infant health at birth and over the first 15 months of life in a cohort of infants in the city of Abu Dhabi in the UAE in 2002, a time of rapid societal change. More specifically the study focuses on investigating factors contributing to low birth weight and evaluating maternal reported health status of children.

This paper focuses on data collected in relation to infant health at birth through to 15 months of age as part of a larger study encompassing a wide range of cultural, social, and behavioural aspects of health in a cohort of women and infants from Abu Dhabi. One hundred and twenty five Emirati women, together with their husbands or guardians, provided written, informed consent to participate in the study, which was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 12 June 2002. Questionnaires were designed following input from international consultants and Emirati female researchers, who ensured cross-cultural equivalence of the instruments [14]. All materials were created in English and then translated into Arabic using a cross-translation technique [15]. Under this technique an Emirati female research assistant translated the English document into Arabic, and then another Emirati assistant (blind to the original document) retranslated the document back into English. Any differences identified were reviewed with Emirati and Western researchers and modified to minimise semantic differences.

A pilot study was conducted in which ten Emirati women, who had just given birth in the government maternity Corniche Hospital (Abu Dhabi), were recruited. Results from this pilot initiated further adaptations to the study designed to account for maternal literacy and the number of visitors in the mother’s hospital room.

All Emirati women who gave birth in the Corniche Hospital over the period of 1st October to the 1st November 2002 were invited to participate in the study. Around 10% of the eligible participants declined to take part in the study, primarily due to ill health or because they were refused permission from their male guardian. An Arabic-speaking female research assistant interviewed mothers during their postpartum stay in the hospital. Additionally, the women’s medical records were reviewed and then they were contacted via mail and/or telephone at three (n = 94), six (n = 59) and 15 months postpartum (n = 52).

Apgar scores were used to provide an assessment of the overall general health and condition of the baby [16]. Apgar scores range from 1 to 10 with above 7 being normal and below three indicating that the infant is in critical condition [16]. Apgar scores also provided a subjective numerical categorisation of each new born with respect to heartbeat, respiratory rate, colour, muscle tone and response to stimuli.

Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics package Version 23. Fisher’s exact test and adjusted odds ratios and their 95% confidence limits were used to assess significant relationships between LBW and a range of explanatory factors.

The demographics of the participants are shown in Table 1 along with anthropometric measurements of the infants at birth.

At birth, 11 (9%) of the infants were LBW. Table 2 lists the covariates considered to potentially influence infant LBW. The univariate odds ratios indicate the likelihood that the infant is of normal birth weight.

All but three of the 11 LBW infants weighed more than 2 kg. The lightest infant was born at 26 weeks gestation and weighed 710 g, whilst another was born at 25 weeks gestation, weighing 780 g. The third infant weighed 1.49 kg and suffered cardiac issues but remained in the study for the duration. Eight of the infants in the study were admitted to the NICU immediately after birth. The reasons for admission varied and included: preterm/very low birth weight; pre-term/intrauterine growth restriction; ileal atresia; tachypnoea; and congenital myopathy. No relationships between NICU admittance and consanguinity, maternal age, or education level, regular check-ups during the pregnancy, or maternal desire for the pregnancy were found.

The Apgar scores taken at one and 5 min after birth were slightly higher for the boys than for the girls at 1 min but this was not statistically significant. No significant relationships were found between length of gestation period and birth weight with Apgar scores. No infant received a critical score at 5 min after birth.

Data relating to the initiation and duration of breastfeeding and consumption of additional liquids and foods during infancy in this cohort have been extensively reported in a previous publication [17]. Exclusive breastfeeding rates were low and associated with perceptions of insufficient milk supply, infant hunger, and maternal employment. Early introduction of supplementary food and drinks was common, some being ritualistic in nature. Maternal employment and pre-lacteal feeds were significantly related to the early introduction of supplementary foods. However, 50% of the mothers interviewed on follow up at 15 months were still giving breast milk.

One of the most disturbing findings was that only 5.3% (n = 5) of mothers reported that their infants were placed in a secure car seat when travelling during the first 3 months of life. Most infants were held in the arms of an adult in either the front or back seats (Table 3).

Although the infants did have some health problems, the mothers were apparently reluctant to report their infants as unhealthy, as the lowest maternal perception of infant health report by a mother was that their infant’s health was average as shown in Table 4 below:

It is interesting that over the study period only 7–14% rated their infant’s health as excellent. Table 5 below shows infant health issues by maternal report during each period of the study which included a variety of ailments with fevers, colds/flu and coughs being most commonly reported.

Chronic infant health issues reported included: asthma (n = 7, 6%), eczema (n = 1, 1%), food allergies (n = 1, 1%), heart problems (n = 1, 1%) congenital myopathy (n = 1, 1%) and eye problems (n = 1, 1%).

At 3 months after birth, only three (3%) of the infants had not received all the recommended vaccinations, due to infant illness and lack of transportation. Six (7%) infants had not had a health check. Sixty eight of the infants (81%) had between one and four check-ups during the first 3 months of life, and ten infants (12%) had five or more. The reasons given for not taking infants for health check-ups included: baby was not ill, mother was too busy, mother was ill, lack of transport, husband would not take mother to clinic, lack of knowledge on how to make an appointment.

Data collected at 6 months after birth showed that all but one of the infants were now up to date with their vaccinations; the exception being due to problems with transportation and ill health.

By 14–15 months, all the infants (n = 52) had received medical check-ups. Thirty-two (62%) of the infants had received between four and seven check-ups while six (12%) had received more than eight. Reasons given for not having regular health checks for the infant included: infant was not ill (n = 12, 23%), mother was too busy (n = 2, 4%), lack of transportation (n = 2, 4%), and one woman said that her husband would not take her. All infants had received all the recommended vaccinations, although two were behind schedule.

As shown in Table 6, most of the women took the infants to government clinics and hospitals for medical treatment, although a substantial number used private facilities. Many used government clinics or hospitals to have their infant vaccinated and private facilities when the infant was ill.

Most participants relied on doctors to prescribe medication when the infant was ill. Very few of the women went directly to the pharmacist or shop to purchase medicine, as shown in Table 7. Interestingly, several of the participants used medicines supplied by traditional healers to treat their infants. Traditional medicines were often used first, and if they were not effective, then the infant was taken to a hospital or clinic.

At 6 months after the birth, participants (n = 58) were asked where they obtained information relating to the introduction of complementary foods. Most women found information through books and magazines (n = 25, 43%), government health establishments (n = 23, 40%), private health establishments (n = 14, 24%), and family, friends or personal experience (n = 16, 28%) while four women obtained information from the television and internet sources (7%).

The participants were also asked if they had received information relating to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Only nine of the 58 women had heard of SIDS and six of these had found out about it from television, two from family and friends and one from a doctor.

The population of Abu Dhabi, the wealthiest of the seven emirates of the UAE, has experienced an exceptionally rapid transition from a subsistence existence to one of wealth and privilege within the space of 40 years. One would expect that infant health would improve during this transition due to access to better health resources. Indeed, this paper confirms that LBW, an important aspect of infant health at birth, has improved in Abu Dhabi and is similar to that of developed countries.

LBW is a risk factor for numerous infant health issues, both acute and chronic. This study indicated an incidence of 8.8% of LBW; an improvement from the figures shown in the UAE Family Health Survey based on data from all the emirates, which found an incidence of 15% in 1995 [18]. These figures are comparable to other Arab countries such as; Jordan, 13% and Oman,12% (2007–2011 data) [9]. The rate of infant LBW in developed countries such as the UK and US is approximately 8% with a world average of 15% [9]. This decrease in the incidence of LBW is encouraging as it indicates the effectiveness of public health policy in the improvement of infant health in the UAE.

Between 1992 and 1999, the UAE neonatal mortality rate was reported as 6.9 per 1000 live births, with preterm birth complications and lethal malformations accounting for 77% of all such deaths [19, 20].

Consanguineous marriages are common in the UAE and marriages between first cousins occur frequently [21]. It is estimated that there are at least 213 genetic disorders and congenital abnormalities in the UAE population, many of which are likely a result of the practice of consanguineous marriage [22]. Between 1995 and 1997, the incidence of major congenital abnormalities was reported to be 23/1000 [19]. While our study did not address major congenital abnormalities, and mothers of such infants were unlikely to have participated in the study, levels of consanguineous marriage were high. Almost half (48%) of the mothers were related to their husband. This is very similar to previous findings; the UAE Family Health Survey conducted in 1995 found 40% of UAE women were blood relatives to their husband [18]. Bener et al. [23] found 50.5% of marriages to be consanguineous in a sample of 2200 women. However, in the present study no relationship was found between babies born to mothers in a consanguineous relationship and LBW or admittance to the NICU. While this could reflect increased awareness and pre-marital screening for genetic incompatibilities, it could also result from selection bias, with mothers of VLBW infants or infants with congenital abnormalities being less likely to participate in the study.

The number of infants born to adolescent women is declining in the UAE. Within this sample five women (4%) were below the age of 20 years. Green and Smith [24] found that the mean age at which UAE mothers gave birth to their first child increased across three generations from 15.9 to 20.9 years. This decrease in adolescent births is an important change given their associated health problems. Shawky and Milaat [25] reported that Saudi Arabian women who gave birth before age 16 had double the risk of developing chronic ill health and experiencing miscarriages, stillbirths and infant deaths throughout their entire childbearing years.

Anaemia is viewed as a serious health problem in the Eastern Mediterranean region and WHO indicators for reproductive health show that 40.9% of women screened for anaemia during pregnancy had haemoglobin concentrations below 110 g/l [26]. In the UAE, the prevalence of anaemia is not well documented. WHO figures show that 22–62% of pregnant women in the UAE were anaemic in 1995, but this had decreased to 14% in 2002 [27]. Fareh et al. conducted a study in Al Ain examining the obstetric impact of anaemia during pregnancy and recorded that 13.3% of pregnant women attending Al Ain hospital during the study period were anaemic. However, their study found no significant adverse effects of low iron on mothers or infants, likely due to good standards of ante-natal care [28]. There are several characteristics of the UAE diet which may inhibit iron absorption including a high consumption of tea, which contains tannins, and large quantities of unleavened bread containing phytates [27]. It is common for women in the UAE to have many children and therefore to be in a constant cycle of pregnancy and lactation, which does not allow replenishment of iron stores, resulting in iron deficiency anaemia [24, 28, 29].

Iron supplementation is common in the UAE and supplements are routinely prescribed at maternity clinics, although this is only effective if women attend antenatal clinics early in pregnancy. The efficacy of supplementing women with iron pills during pregnancy to prevent and treat anaemia is well documented, although in developing countries, consideration also has to be given to the possible presence of other micro-nutrient deficiencies [30, 31]. Results from the current study suggest that iron supplementation had a positive impact on infant birth weight. However, further investigation is needed to confirm this result and a larger sample size may prove to be more informative.

The prevalence of breastfeeding and the introduction of complementary foods in this population has been previously reported by Gardner et al. [17]. Although 50% of the infants were still receiving some breastmilk at 15 months they were also consuming a diet high in fatty and sugary foods. This may be reflected in the high levels of overweight (21.5%) and obesity (13.7%) reported in children aged 5–17 in the UAE [32].

The infants in this study suffered from the usual array of common childhood ailments. In addition, chronic infant health issues reported included: asthma, eczema, food allergies, heart problems, congenital myopathy and eye problems. Breathing difficulties and rashes were common suggesting that allergies may be common amongst this cohort. The prevalence of asthma and eczema in children in the Emirates has been reported as 13% and 11% respectively [33]. A more recent study in Al Ain found that 8% of school aged children suffered from food allergies [34]. These rates are similar to those reported in developed countries, and more research is needed on the causes and prevention of these allergies in the UAE [35].

Several of the mothers reported that their child had more serious or chronic conditions but these were relatively rare. The nature of the health services in Abu Dhabi offers a range of choices in health care or provision of medication. This was particularly the case in relation to medication with six of the participants relying on traditional healers to provide remedies for the infants. Depending on the composition of the remedy this may be cause for concern as some traditional herbal remedies have been associated with toxins or contamination, and may pose a threat to health [36].

Mortality and injury resulting from road traffic accidents are common in the UAE [37, 38]. Although this study found that only 5.3% of infants were secured in car seats, the reluctance to use car seats for infants has recently been improved through public awareness campaigns and legislation. The Abu Dhabi government passed legislation in 2011 to make it mandatory to place infants in car seats [39], although non-compliance remains a problem [38] with a recent study reporting that 44% of respondents claimed to never use a secure car seat for their children between birth and 23 months [40].

There are several limitations to this study that should be noted. These include subject attrition and low response rates on follow up, largely due to the mobility of this population, with many of the new mothers moving between extended family residences. This population was relatively healthy as mothers with ill or low birth weight infants may have declined to participate in the study. In addition, mothers in this culture may not be willing to admit to poor health in their children and health status may therefore be subjective. The use of the Apgar scores as a proxy of overall general health of new-borns has limitations. The exploratory descriptive nature of this study depicts a unique set of circumstances documented at a single point in time in Abu Dhabi, a rapidly developing city. This, combined with the relatively small number of subjects, serves to limit any claims this study might make about representativeness of the entire population.

The health of infants born to the mothers in this UAE sample from Abu Dhabi showed marked improvement over previous studies. Although consanguinity among parents was high, no evidence for negative impacts on birth weight or prematurity was found. The proportion of LBW infants was decreasing and continuing improvements in health care in the UAE are having a positive impact on infant health. To further improve infant health outcomes for mothers and infants in the United Arab Emirates, more research and the implementation of health education programmes would be beneficial.