Pregnancy outcome data in a United Arab Emirates population: what can they tell us?

A cross-sectional study of pregnancy outcome in a national Arabic population is presented to highlight a unique reproductive environment compared with many other obstetric populations. A high pro-natal intensity is evident with significant numbers of grandmultipara (36.7%) and mature gravida (22.2%). These groups did not show any significant increase in adverse antenatal or intrapartum events apart from an increasing rate of gestational diabetes with maternal age. There was an average induction/augmentation rate of 10.2% with a low rate of instrumental delivery (2.3%) and a mean caesarean section rate of 6.9%. A major antenatal complication noted was the prevalance of 17.3% for a haemoglobin < 10 g/dl together with overall increased rates of pre-existing and gestational diabetes. In addition the incidence of preterm labour increased over each of the 3 years studied and is of concern.