The influence of khat-chewing on birth-weight in full-term infants.

The leaves of the shrub Catha edulis (khat) are widely chewed as part of social life in several countries around the Red Sea and in East Africa. The leaves possess stimulant properties and are also used by pregnant women. The effect of khat on birth-weight has been studied, It was found that healthy full-term, singletons, born after uneventful pregnancies and deliveries, had a significantly lower average birth-weight when the mothers were khat-chewers, either habitually or occasionally (P less than 0.001). Khat-chewing appears to be one of several maternal practices adverse to the fetus.