Birth Weight Distribution in The United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Birth weight is a point measure of size, not a measure of growth and past presentation of birth weight data has confounded its use by maintaining an emphasis on size at birth rather than health at birth. This paper presents current data for a United Arab Emirates (UAE) national population for both international comparison and contrast with other Gulf populations. Unique local conditions include a high rate of diabetes in pregnancy, extreme grandmultiparity and significant numbers of mature gravida (age > 35 yrs), and emphasizes a need for a re-appraisal and redevelopment of this form of analysis as a part of the overall obstetric care of the pregnant population.