Risk Factors For Congenital Heart Defects in Saudi Arabian Infants

Two studies were undertaken. Firstly, congenital heart defect (CHD) data from the Saudi Arabian Congenital Heart Defects registry (CHD registry) were compared to data published by the Baltimore-Washington Infant Survey (BWIS) group and the European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies registry (EUROCAT). Distributions of CHD diagnoses within the Saudi Arabian dataset (Riyadh region and Saudi Arabia as a whole) were similar to those from these more comprehensive efforts, providing evidence for the completeness and accuracy of the CHD registry, for Riyadh region in particular. Secondly, an unmatched case-control study of risk factors for all structural congenital heart defects in children resident in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was undertaken. The primary exposure of interest was consanguinity up to and including third cousins. Incident cases were identified from the CHD Registry from June 1, 2002 to December 31, 2004. Controls were obtained from the Well Baby Clinic, Riyadh Anned Forces (Military) Hospital. Using a detailed and reverse translated questionnaire, a face to face interview was conducted with 235 case and 247 control mothers by research assistants fluent in the local dialect. Mothers were asked to consider their exposure to risk factors within the period of 3 months prior to and 3 months post conception. Consanguinity was collected by phylogram method. The majority of mothers were interviewed when the infant was less than one year of age. Analyses were conducted using four different case groups: all cases, isolated cardiac cases, and embryological earliest and latest cases. Twenty five percent of cases and controls were first cousins or closer. Sixteen percent of cases versus 13 percent of controls were first cousins once removed or equivalent and 12 percent of both cases and controls were second 01' third cousins. Consanguinity was not found to increase the risk of CHD in this population. The adjusted odds ratio for all cases was 1.0 (CI9S=O.7-1.7) and for isolated cardiac cases it was 1.2 (CI9S=O.7-2.0). Statistically significant associations were found for other exposures such as previous pregnancy losses, maternal age, multiplicity, maternal use of hair dyes and pesticides sprayed in the house, confirming findings from previous studies. It is unlikely that the findings for consanguinity can be explained by misclassification of exposure or, in the analysis of all cases, low statistical power

Risk factors for congenital heart defects in Saudi Arabian infants

Two studies were undertaken. Firstly, congenital heart defect (CHD) data from the Saudi Arabian Congenital Heart Defects registry (CHD registry) were compared to data published by the Baltimore-Washington Infant Survey (BWIS) group and the European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies registry (EUROCAT). Distributions of CHD diagnoses within the Saudi Arabian dataset (Riyadh region and Saudi Arabia as a whole) were similar to those from these more comprehensive efforts, providing evidence for the completeness and accuracy of the CHD registry, for Riyadh region in particular. Secondly, an unmatched case-control study of risk factors for all structural congenital heart defects in children resident in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was undertaken. The primary exposure of interest was consanguinity up to and including third cousins. Incident cases were identified from the CHD Registry from June 1, 2002 to December 31, 2004. Controls were obtained from the Well Baby Clinic, Riyadh Anned Forces (Military) Hospital. Using a detailed and reverse translated questionnaire, a face to face interview was conducted with 235 case and 247 control mothers by research assistants fluent in the local dialect. Mothers were asked to consider their exposure to risk factors within the period of 3 months prior to and 3 months post conception. Consanguinity was collected by phylogram method. The majority of mothers were interviewed when the infant was less than one year of age. Analyses were conducted using four different case groups: all cases, isolated cardiac cases, and embryological earliest and latest cases. Twenty five percent of cases and controls were first cousins or closer. Sixteen percent of cases versus 13 percent of controls were first cousins once removed or equivalent and 12 percent of both cases and controls were second 01' third cousins. Consanguinity was not found to increase the risk of CHD in this population. The adjusted odds ratio for all cases was 1.0 (CI9S=O.7-1.7) and for isolated cardiac cases it was 1.2 (CI9S=O.7-2.0). Statistically significant associations were found for other exposures such as previous pregnancy losses, maternal age, multiplicity, maternal use of hair dyes and pesticides sprayed in the house, confirming findings from previous studies. It is unlikely that the findings for consanguinity can be explained by misclassification of exposure or, in the analysis of all cases, low statistical power.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Collecting pedigree information in an epidemiological context

A method has been developed which documents consanguineous relationships in any population. Results from data collected from patients registered in the Congenital Heart Disease Registry at KFSH&RC, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia show an expected number of parents who described a pattern of relationship consistent with a first cousin relationship but fewer numbers of 'other related' than previously reported in the literature. Further studies are in preparation

The pattern of Down syndrome among children in Qatar: A population-based study

BACKGROUND:,The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence pattern of Down Syndrome (DS) in children < 5 years of age in the State of Qatar. This is a retrospective descriptive study. The study was conducted in the Hamad General Hospital, Women's Hospital, and Rumailah Hospital (Hamad Medical Corporation). A total of 146 children were reported as having DS during the 6-year period from I January 2000 to December 31, 2005. METHODS: The diagnostic classification of definitive DS was made in accordance with criteria based on the International Classification of Disease 10th Revision (ICD-10). The data collected from the medical records included sociodemographic characteristics of the children, genetic and family history, pedigree analysis, and clinical genetic examination. RESULTS: A total of 146 children were diagnosed with DS during the last 6-year period and the prevalence rate is 19.5 per 10,000 live births. Of these, 40.4% were Qataris and 59.6% were non-Qataris. DS was slightly more common in boys (52.7%) than girls (47.3%). Infants < 1 year old had the high. est frequency of DS (40.4%), followed by children (1-2) years (26%). The most common abnormality was regular trisomy (98%). Also, one-half of the studied children had congenital heart problems (51.7%), There is a significant relationship between DS and maternal age as reported by other studies in other countries. CONCLUSION: The identification of specific types of chromosomal abnormalities in DS children is important as it enables clinicians to accurately counsel the parent regarding the recurrence risk and available options

Quality of life of caregivers of children with autism in Qatar

Introduction: Caring for a child diagnosed with autism could affect the quality of life of the caregiver in various different ways. No previous research has assessed the quality of lives of caregivers of children with autism in Qatar. Methods: Caregivers of a child with autism between 3 and 17 years old were recruited from child rehabilitation clinics in Qatar. The non-autism group was represented by caregivers of a typically growing child visiting a primary health care facility for a routine medical examination. Data collected from both groups included demographic and quality of life information for caregivers. Results: A total of 98 participants consented to take part in the study. Fifty-six of these were caregivers of a child with autism and 42 were caregivers of a typically growing child. There was no significant difference between quality of life domains between the two groups of caregivers, but caregivers of autistic children rated their health as poor and likely to get worse (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: This study provided some evidence for the impact of caring for a child with autism on the life of the caregiver. The findings should help health policy-makers in Qatar to provide better and more focused support to children with autism and their caregivers. </jats:p

Concerns and considerations among caregivers of a child with autism in Qatar

Abstract Background Autism impacts the lives of the family looking after a child with the condition in different ways, and forces family members to modify their daily lives to suit their reality. To our knowledge, no previous research investigated concern and considerations of parents/caregivers of children with autism in Qatar or the Arabic speaking Middle Eastern region. Methods Caregivers of a child who was between the age of 3 to17 years old at the time of the study and who was diagnosed with ASD (Autistic Group or AG) were recruited from the two main developmental pediatric and children rehabilitation clinics in Qatar. The control group (non-autism group, or NAG) was represented by caregivers of a non-autistic child between the age of 3 to 17 years old at the time of the study and who were visiting a family clinic of a primary health care facility for routine medical check-up. Data collected from both groups included related to the child (e.g. the child’s date of birth, his/her relation to the caregiver, number of siblings, number of hours of sleep in a day, number of hours spent watching television or videos prior to age 3, time spent indoors prior to age 3, absenteeism from school, and use of a nanny to care for the child) and to the caregiver (education level, profession, level of consanguinity using the phylogram method). In addition to these questions, caregivers in the AG were asked specific questions around maternal concern and considerations in respect to the future of their children and the specialized services they receive. Results Children in the autism group spent more time indoors, watching television, or sleeping than children in the non-autism group. Only around 40% of caregivers in the autism group said they would encourage their child to get married and become a parent when s/he grows up. A number of caregivers of children with autism frequently utilize specialized rehabilitation services; others did express their needs for these services and made comments about having to wait a long time before they were provided with some of the services. Religious faith helped caregivers in accepting having a child with autism. General health-related quality of life did not differ significantly between the caregivers of the two groups, although mental health was consistently poorer in the autism group of caregivers. Conclusions The study draws attention to the concerns of the families of children with autism and their expectations about the future of their children. The findings can be used by policy makers in planning services to support these families in Qatar.</p