The effect of Ramadan fasting on fetal development.

Atilla Karateke

doi:10.12669/pjms.316.8562

Abstract

Objective:To evaluate the effects of Ramadan fasting on fetal development and outcomes of pregnancy.Methods:We performed this study in Antakya State Hospital of Obstetrics and Child Care, between 28 June 2014 and 27 July 2014 (during the month of Ramadan). A total of two hundred forty healthy pregnant women who were fasting during Ramadan, were included in the groups. The three groups were divided according to the trimesters. The each group was consisted of 40 healthy pregnant women with fasting and 40 healthy pregnant women without fasting. For evaluating the effects of Ramadan on fetus, ultrasonography was performed on all pregnant women in the beginning and the end of Ramadan. We used the essential parameters for the following measurements: increase of fetal biparietal diameter (BPD), increase of fetal femur length (FL), increase of estimated fetal body weight (EFBW), fetal biophysical profile (BPP), amniotic fluid index (AFI), and umbilical artery systole/diastole (S/D) ratio.Results:No significant difference was found between the two groups for the fetal age, maternal weight gain (kilogram), estimated fetal weight gain (EFWG), fetal BPP, AFI, and umbilical artery S/D ratio. On the other hand, a statistically significant increase was observed in maternal weight in the second and third trimesters and a significant increase was observed in the amniotic fluid index in second trimester.Conclusion:In Ramadan there was no bad fetal outcome between pregnant women with fasting and pregnant women without fasting. Pregnant women who want to be with fast, should be examined by doctors, adequately get breakfast before starting to fast and after the fasting take essential calori and hydration. More comprehensive randomized studies are needed to explain the effects of fasting on the pregnancy and fetal outcomes.

Highlights

According to the Islamic religion, Muslims in the holy month of Ramadan does not eat and drink anything from sunrise to sunset for a Correspondence: July 13, 2015 September 5, 2015 October 21, 2015 October 22, 2015 month
In the first trimester group, we evaluated the increase of fetal biparietal diameter (BPD) and reverse ‘a’ wave with ductus venosus Doppler
There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of mean age, body mass index (BMI), gravidity, parity, gestastional age, increase of fetal BPD, increase of fetal estimated fetal body weight (EFBW), UAD S/D ratio, ratio of normal vaginal delivery/ cesearen, newborn weight, low born weight, apgar score and requirement of newborn intensive care

Summary

Introduction

According to the Islamic religion, Muslims in the holy month of Ramadan does not eat and drink anything (fasting) from sunrise to sunset for a Correspondence: July 13, 2015 September 5, 2015 October 21, 2015 October 22, 2015 month. According to Islam, pregnant women are exempt from fasting in the month of Ramadan. Most pregnant women do not fast during Ramadan because of not well-being and for the baby. Despite several risk factors some pregnant women fast during Ramadan.[1]. While some studies reported that fasting have no effect to pregnancy, some reported alterations in fetal parameters.[2,4,5] Previous studies were usually conducted in the pregnant women who were in third trimester of the gestation. Our study differs in that we evaluated the changes in all trimesters of pregnant women who fast during Ramadan and who do not fast

Methods

Results

Conclusion