The First United Arab Emirates National Representative Birth Cohort Study

Launched by UNITED ARAB EMIRATES UNIVERSITY · Jun 9, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The First United Arab Emirates National Representative Birth Cohort Study is a research project focused on understanding the health of mothers and their children during pregnancy and early childhood. The study aims to recruit 250 pregnant Emirati women who are between 8 to 12 weeks along in their pregnancy. Researchers will gather important information about the mothers, including their lifestyle, diet, physical activity, and mental health, as well as taking blood samples for further analysis. After the baby is born, there will be follow-up visits at different stages of the child's development, where information about the child's growth, feeding practices, and overall health will be collected.

To be eligible for this study, women must be Emirati nationals, have a single pregnancy (not twins or more), and be in their first trimester without any major health issues like diabetes or hypertension. Participants will have a total of 11 visits—one during each trimester of pregnancy and eight after the baby is born. This study not only aims to gather valuable data that could improve child and maternal health in the UAE, but it also offers a chance for participants to contribute to important research that may benefit future generations.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Emirati Nationality
• • Within first trimester of pregnancy (between 8 -12 weeks of gestation)
• • Singleton pregnancy
• • Absence of major illness preconception (Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney disease, cancer, epilepsy, severe psychiatric illness, and other chronic diseases of infections such as autoimmune disorders, human immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Non-Emirati
• • Unconfirmed viable, intrauterine pregnancy at first obstetric ultrasound during first trimester
• • Twin or multiple gestation pregnancy and a history of multiple gestations
• • History of chronic illness (i.e., T2DM, hypertension, etc.)
• • Previously given birth to babies with malformation, intellectual disability, or inborn errors of metabolism.
• • Experience of a miscarriage before 28 weeks of gestation
• • On significant regular medications, including insulin, anti-hypertensive agents, psychotropic medications, anti-epileptic drugs, steroids, immune-suppressive agents, and chemotherapeutic agents.