Abstract
Objective: To determine the effects of fasting of Ramadan in patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Design: A prospective cohort study conducted during Ramadan. Setting: Ain Shams University IVF centre. Population: Three hundred fasting, infertile women undergoing their first trial of IVF/ICSI and 300 non-fasting matched controls undergoing the same procedure during Ramadan. Methods: Anxiety and depression were measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, at the start of the induction protocol. All the successful pregnant women were followed up until delivery. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measure was the live birth rate. Results: The live birth rate was higher in the fasting group than in the non-fasting group; this was not significant (43% vs. 40%, P = 0.46). The fasting group needed higher doses and durations of induction. Embryo quality did not differ between both groups. The pregnancy complication rate among successful cases was higher in the fasting group (52.9% vs. 40.4%, P = 0.03); however, the frequencies of anxiety and depression were significantly lower than those in the non-fasting group (18% vs. 38%, P < 0.00001 and 16% vs. 37%, P < 0.00001, respectively). Conclusion: Fasting during Ramadan does not seem to significantly affect the IVF/ICSI outcome; however, it significantly decreased the anxiety and depression usually associated with these procedures.
Highlights
Annual fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam
Other studies reported that Ramadan fasting during pregnancy might have potential risks [18]
No studies have assessed the effect of fasting during Ramadan on in-vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome
Summary
Annual fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. During Ramadan, all ablebodied Muslims abstain from food, fluids, smoking, and oral medication between sunrise and sunset [1].Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar. Annual fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. During Ramadan, all ablebodied Muslims abstain from food, fluids, smoking, and oral medication between sunrise and sunset [1]. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar. The daily fast lasts nearly 12 - 19 hours depending on the geographic location and season [2]. Fasting Muslims usually have two meals per day, Iftar at sunset and Sahari (Sohour) before dawn [3]. There are more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide, with higher numbers in Asia and Africa. Many Muslims have permanently immigrated to Europe, North America, and Australia [4]
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