Arab Educational Information Network

A questionnaire seeking details about a large number of prenatal parental factors and symptoms suffered by infants was randomly distributed to 1,000 mothers throughout Kuwait. A total of 690 fully completed questionnaires were returned and analysed by t-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) as appropriate. There were several significant correlations (p < 0.05), including between male gender and increased skin problems; higher birthweight and increased skin problems; mother’s age and respiratory problems; outside employment of mother and fewer neurological problems; father’s age and neurological problems; low family income and increased digestive problems; previous abortion ’and greater neurological problems; maternal pregnancy-related problems and increased digestive, skin and respiratory problems; obesity and fewer skin problems; paracetamol or antibiotic use and increased digestive problems; epilepsy drug use and more skin problems but fewer respiratory problems; diabetic drugs and fewer neurological and skin problems; greater rates of skin problems with consumption of nuts; increased respiratory symptoms with carbonated soft drink consumption; increased neurological and respiratory problems with consump¬tion of ready-made soups; and fewer skin problems with consumption of herbal drinks. This information may help identify parental factors that deserve further research. (Published abstract)