Researchers studied 445 mothers in Egypt, Palestine, Yemen, and Jordan to understand what factors affect babies’ health. They found that parents’ habits before and during pregnancy matter a lot. Mothers who smoked, didn’t take enough folic acid, or took unprescribed medicines had babies with more health problems. On the bright side, families with higher incomes and mothers who went to regular prenatal checkups had healthier babies. The study also found that chronic illnesses in parents, getting COVID-19 during pregnancy, and severe morning sickness were linked to more infant health issues. This research shows that supporting parents’ health and providing good prenatal care can help babies stay healthier.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How parents’ health habits, lifestyle choices, and access to medical care during pregnancy affect whether babies are born healthy or with health problems
  • Who participated: 445 mothers from four Middle Eastern countries (Egypt, Palestine, Yemen, and Jordan) who were interviewed between August and October 2024. The average mother was about 28 years old, and most lived in cities rather than rural areas
  • Key finding: Three main things hurt baby health: mothers smoking during pregnancy, not getting enough folic acid (a B vitamin), and taking medicines without a doctor’s prescription. Meanwhile, families with more money and mothers who had regular doctor visits during pregnancy had healthier babies
  • What it means for you: If you’re planning to have a baby or are pregnant, quitting smoking, taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid, and seeing your doctor regularly are important steps. However, this study only shows connections between these factors and baby health—it doesn’t prove one causes the other

The Research Details

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study, which is like taking a snapshot in time rather than following people over months or years. They interviewed 445 mothers from four countries between August and October 2024 using a detailed questionnaire. A trained doctor conducted face-to-face interviews to collect information about the mothers’ health, their partners’ health, their lifestyle choices during pregnancy, and their babies’ health outcomes.

The researchers asked about many different factors: whether parents smoked, what the mother ate, whether she took vitamins, if she had COVID-19 during pregnancy, whether she got vaccinated, and how often she visited the doctor during pregnancy. They also collected information about family income, education level, and any chronic health conditions in the parents.

After collecting all this information, the researchers used statistical tests to find which factors were most strongly connected to babies being healthy or having health problems.

This type of study is useful for identifying patterns and connections between different factors and health outcomes. By studying mothers across four different countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers could see whether these patterns held true in different settings and cultures. Understanding which factors are most important helps doctors and public health officials know where to focus their efforts to help babies stay healthy.

This study has some strengths: it included mothers from multiple countries, used trained doctors to collect information, and asked detailed questions about many different factors. However, there are some limitations to keep in mind. The study only looked at one point in time rather than following mothers over time, so we can’t be completely sure that these factors cause health problems—they might just be connected. The study also relied on mothers remembering and reporting their own health information, which might not always be completely accurate. Additionally, the sample size of 445 mothers, while reasonable, is relatively modest for drawing broad conclusions.

What the Results Show

The study found three lifestyle factors that were significantly connected to babies having more health problems. First, mothers who smoked during pregnancy were more likely to have babies with health issues. Second, mothers who didn’t get enough folic acid (a B vitamin that’s important for baby development) had babies with more health problems. Third, mothers who took medicines without a doctor’s prescription were more likely to have babies with health issues.

On the positive side, two factors were strongly connected to healthier babies. Families with higher incomes had healthier babies, suggesting that financial stability helps parents provide better care. Additionally, mothers who went to regular prenatal checkups (visits to the doctor during pregnancy) had healthier babies.

The study also identified several other risk factors. Mothers who had chronic illnesses (long-lasting health conditions), mothers who didn’t know they were pregnant for a long time, mothers with severe morning sickness, and mothers who had COVID-19 during pregnancy all had higher rates of babies with health problems. These connections were statistically significant, meaning they were unlikely to be due to chance.

The research also looked at fathers’ health and found that chronic illnesses in fathers were connected to infant health problems. This suggests that both parents’ overall health matters for baby outcomes. The study examined COVID-19 vaccination and infection during pregnancy, finding that maternal COVID-19 infection was associated with more infant health issues. The researchers also noted that awareness of pregnancy timing mattered—mothers who didn’t know they were pregnant for longer periods had babies with more health problems, possibly because they didn’t start prenatal care as early.

These findings align with what previous research has shown about pregnancy and infant health. Scientists have long known that smoking during pregnancy harms fetal development, that folic acid is crucial for preventing birth defects, and that regular prenatal care improves outcomes. The study adds new context by examining these factors during the COVID-19 pandemic and across multiple countries in the Middle East. The finding about COVID-19 infection during pregnancy contributing to infant health problems is particularly relevant given the recent pandemic, though more research is needed to understand the exact mechanisms.

This study has several important limitations. First, it’s a cross-sectional study, which means it captured information at one point in time. This makes it difficult to prove that one factor causes another—we can only say they’re connected. Second, the study relied on mothers remembering and accurately reporting their health information, which can be unreliable. Third, the study only included 445 mothers from four specific countries, so the results might not apply to all populations worldwide. Fourth, the study didn’t include information about many other factors that could affect infant health, such as genetics, environmental pollution, or access to healthcare facilities. Finally, the study didn’t measure how severe the infant health problems were or follow babies over time to see long-term outcomes.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, here are evidence-based recommendations for people planning pregnancy or currently pregnant: (1) If you smoke, quitting is one of the most important things you can do for your baby’s health—this finding has strong support from this and many other studies. (2) Take prenatal vitamins containing folic acid as recommended by your doctor—this is a well-established way to prevent birth defects. (3) Only take medicines that your doctor has approved during pregnancy—avoid over-the-counter or unprescribed medications. (4) Attend all recommended prenatal checkups, even if you feel fine—regular monitoring helps catch problems early. (5) Maintain overall good health, especially if you have chronic illnesses—work with your doctor to manage any ongoing health conditions. These recommendations have moderate to strong confidence levels based on this study combined with existing medical knowledge.

These findings are most relevant for people who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or supporting someone through pregnancy. Healthcare providers, public health officials, and policymakers in low- and middle-income countries should pay particular attention, as the study was conducted in countries with varying levels of healthcare access. The findings are less directly applicable to people who are not planning pregnancy or who have already completed their childbearing years, though the general principles about healthy lifestyle choices apply to everyone.

If you make changes based on these findings, the timeline for seeing benefits depends on when you make them. If you quit smoking before pregnancy, your body begins healing within weeks, and your baby benefits from improved oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout pregnancy. If you start taking folic acid supplements, they need to be taken for at least a month before conception and throughout the first trimester to be most effective at preventing birth defects. Regular prenatal care should begin as soon as you know you’re pregnant and continue throughout pregnancy. You won’t see immediate results, but these changes work together to reduce the risk of health problems that might appear at birth or in early infancy.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track prenatal appointment attendance and completion. Users should log each scheduled prenatal visit and mark it as completed. The app could send reminders for upcoming appointments and calculate the percentage of recommended visits completed. A goal of 100% attendance aligns with the study’s findings about improved infant health outcomes.
  • Users planning pregnancy or currently pregnant should use the app to: (1) Set a quit-smoking goal if applicable, with daily tracking of smoke-free days; (2) Log daily prenatal vitamin intake, specifically noting folic acid supplements; (3) Create a medication list that’s reviewed with their doctor, with the app flagging any non-prescribed medications; (4) Schedule and track prenatal appointments. The app could provide educational content about why each of these behaviors matters based on this research.
  • Implement a long-term tracking dashboard that monitors: (1) Smoking status (days/weeks smoke-free); (2) Prenatal vitamin compliance (percentage of days taken); (3) Prenatal visit completion rate; (4) Medication review status (last reviewed with doctor); (5) Overall pregnancy health score based on these factors. The app could generate monthly reports showing progress toward healthy pregnancy behaviors and identify areas needing attention. After birth, the app could track infant health milestones and allow users to note any health concerns to discuss with their pediatrician.

This research describes associations between various factors and infant health outcomes but does not prove that one factor directly causes another. The study was conducted in specific countries during a particular time period and may not apply to all populations. Individual circumstances vary greatly, and what’s true on average for a group may not apply to any specific person. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Anyone who is pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or has concerns about infant health should consult with their healthcare provider for personalized guidance. If you have questions about medications, supplements, or lifestyle changes during pregnancy, discuss them with your doctor before making changes. This summary is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition.