Current maternal-infant micronutrient status and the effects on birth weight in the United Arab Emirates

Micronutrient deficiencies exist among women of childbearing age in the United Arab Emirates but the effects of maternal micronutrient deficiency on fetal growth are not well documented. To investigate the association between micronutrients and birth weight, we measured maternal and cord blood micronutrients [vitamin A, C, D, and E] and ferritin in 84 term, singleton infants born to healthy Arab and South Asian women at Al-Ain hospital. Median serum ascorbic acid and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-OHD] concentrations were low in mothers and infants. In multivariate analysis, maternal serum 25-OHD correlated positively with birth weight while serum ferritin showed a negative correlation

Disease severity associated with cystic fibrosis mutations deltaF508 and S549R[T-G]

We compared the clinical severity associated with the two cystic fibrosis [CF] mutations S549R[T[R]G] and deltaF508. Clinical and biochemical variables of CF were compared in two age- and sex-matched groups of CF children in the United Arab Emirates [UAE]. The clinical severity of mutations S549R[T[R]G] and delta F508 showed comparable patterns, with very low Shwachman scores and high sweat chloride levels. We conclude that patients homozygous for the CF mutations deltaF508 and S549R[T[R]G] have a severe clinical presentation and illness and are indistinguishable on clinical grounds

rare bone dysplasia and chronic lung disease

To illustrate the development of chronic lung disease in an 11-year-old child with spondylo-meta-epiphyseal dysplasia-abnormal calcification type. Method: Historical review and radiological investigation by high resolution computerized tomography of the thorax. Severe bronchiectasis with a mosaic perfusion pattern was demonstrated. The onset of lung disease was insidious in the absence of a history of recurrent respiratory infection and symptoms. We postulate that the rigidity of the chest wall led to restrictive lung disease. Children with this type of dysplasia need careful monitoring of their respiratory status during their early years

Safer roads for children in the United Arab Emirates

A study was conducted to obtain a representative view of the parents of primary school children regarding which strategies should be employed to reduce the toll of road traffic accidents in the United Arab Emirates. A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in Al-Ain, UAE, in which parents were asked to give their suggestions on how to make the roads safer for their children. Strategies aimed at reducing vehicle speed, improved personal driving, adherence to existing rules, and driver and pedestrian education were regarded as paramount. There is widespread awareness of road safety problems in the country and the public appears ready to accept major safety initiatives by government agencies

epidemiology of childhood accidental poisoning in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

A prospective study into the patterns of accidental poisoning in children in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, is described. Four hundred and eighty four children had a poisoning event during the 19 months study period Seventy nine% were aged between 1 -5 years with male children specifically at risk Therapeutic agents were incriminated in 51.8% of the poisoning events, followed by household cleaning agents [29.7%] and to a lesser extent industrial chemicals [9.7%] and others [8.8%]. UAE nationals appeared also to be at specific risk possibly from easier access to medication and their higher family incomes. The peak time for the poisoning accident, was late evening which may reflect lifestyle patterns. Our figures present a baseline scenario for future safety campaigns as there is no legal requirement for child safety for drugs and household agents in the UAE

Cystic fiprosis in the united arab emirates: current research progress

The recent research findings regarding cystic fibrosis in the Emirates is reviewed. Stress is laid on the severity of the disease, its early presentation and the associated CF genetic mutations. Practitioners are encouraged to think of the disease in appropriate clinical situations and carry out genetic testing

How are acute asthma episodes managed and documented in a rapidly developing country?

A retrospective audit of the documentation of 100 children admitted consecutively to hospital with acute asthma was carried out. The aim of the study was to determine the standards of documentation, the treatment regimens and management used and to compare these with the recent International Guidelines on the management of childhood asthma. We wished to assess the adherence to these guidelines. The results indicated: [1] poor documentation, [2] little evidence of a departmental policy regarding a treatment regimen, [3] assessment, management, planning and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs were areas of particular concern. We conclude that there has been little impact from the recent worldwide attention paid to childhood asthma on the actions of those caring for children in this rapidly developing region

Accidental poisoning of children in the United Arab Emirates

A prospective study of childhood accidental poisoning was conducted in the Al-Ain district of the United Arab Emirates. The results showed that accidental poisoning was frequent but morbidity was low and there were no deaths. The pattern of poisoning is similar to that in western Europe and north America, with household chemicals and medicines predominating. Analgesics and antihistamines were most frequently ingested. The frequency of accidental poisoning in Al-Ain merits the introduction of a public awareness campaign and increased use of child-resistant containers

Current nutritional status of mothers and children in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Forty-six mothers and children from the United Arab Emirates participated in a pilot study to determine possible micronutrient deficiencies in the country. Thirty-five per cent [35%] of the children and 21% of the mothers had low serum ferritin levels, while 30% of the mothers had low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with 28% of mothers having a low serum folate status. These deficiencies are widespread in the nationals of the United Arab Emirates. In view of the increasing importance of intrauterine and early infant nutrition, further investigation and a national study seem warranted

Paediatric admissions to a hospital in the United Arab Emirates

A prospective study was designed to assess the types of illness which resulted in hospital admission in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates, and the background to the admission. The majority of children were admitted for the management of a respiratory condition, particularly asthma. Infections were the next major cause of hospital care. Management of the complications of thalassaemia was also an important reason for admission. The recognition of the importance of this disorder is necessary for future health care planning in the United Arab Emirates. The majority of children were regarded as having a disorder of medium severity at the time of their admission. The results are discussed in light of a similar United Kingdom study

Infantile hypertrophic pylotic stenosis is rare in an indigenous population of the United Arab Emirates

An 11-year retrospective study was carried out to estimate the incidence of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis among the indigenous national population of the United Arab Emirates [UAE]. Data for the period 1984-1994 inclusive came from the surgical operation and medical records of all patients with pyloric stenosis in Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, UAE. Tawam Hospital is one of principal teaching hospitals of the country. During the 11-year period, 10 male patients, all UAE nationals had a pyloromyotomy performed for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, giving a mean rate of 0.61 per 1,000 live births. While the yearly incidence fluctuated, there was no overall increase. This fluctuation is similar to reports for UK patients. We conclude that pyloric stenosis is a rare condition among nationals of the UAE in comparison to populations of developed countries, and showes no signs of increasing. In our series, it is also an exclusively male condition