title: The incidence of low birth weight and intrauterine growth restriction in relationship to maternal ethnicity and gestational age at birth - A PEARL study analysis from the State of Qatar.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the association between maternal ethnicity and gestational age with the incidence of low birth weight and intrauterine growth restriction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, analytic study Methods: The study was conducted between March 14th and April 4th 2011 in Women's Hospital HMC. The data was ascertained from the delivery register of labor ward on daily basis using predesigned, structured questionnaire. Data was stratified according to the maternal ethnicity groups and gestational age at birth (term and preterm).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total deliveries during the study period were 890; 35.5% Qatari (n 316) and 64.5% non-Qatari (n 574). The incidence of LBW was 12.36% (n 110). The difference of LBW incidence between Qatari (13.6% n 43) and non-Qatari (11.67% n 67) groups was non significant (RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.82-1.67, p = 0.401). The same was between non-Qatari sub groups (p < 0.05). The incidence of IUGR was 6% (n 54; 49.09% of LBW). The incidence of IUGR between Qatari (5.7% n 18) and non-Qatari (6.27% n 36) groups was significant (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.3-0.6 p>0.05). The incidence of LBW was 7.85% (n 60) in term babies and 39.68% (n 50) in preterm babies. The incidence if IUGR was 3.79% (n 29) in term babies and 19.84% (n 25) in preterm babies. Preterm babies had a five times higher risk of both being LBW (RR 5.05; 95%CI 3.65-6.99; p < 0.001) and IUGR (RR 5.23; 95% CI 3.17-8.62; p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of low birth weight is independent of maternal ethnicity in Qatar. However, the incidence of IUGR is significantly higher among the non-Qatari population. The relative risk of being LBW or IUGR is five times higher in preterm babies. Further in depth studies are indicated.
authors.affiliation: Royal College of Physicians, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Zeyad Mohannad
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Abdulkader
authors.forename: Sajjad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ur Rahman
authors.affiliation: NICU Women's Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Nuha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nimeri
keywords: Qatar; ethnicity; intrauterine growth restriction; low birth weight