THE EFFECT OF RAMADAN FASTING ON PREGNANCY OUTCOMES DURING THE SECOND AND THIRD TRIMESTER

Volume 13 , Issue 1 , March 2023 , Pages 13-21

Authors

Huda Muhaddein Muhammad 1 ; Gona Aziz Rahim 2 ; Roshna Ali Muhammad 2

1 Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani. Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

2 Maternity Teaching Hospital in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan region, Iraq.

DOI logo 10.17656/jsmc.10392

Keywords

Abstract

Background
Fasting during pregnancy has always been considered a debatable condition. Some Muslim women do not
fast during pregnancy for their children’s health; however, they feel uncomfortable because of their religious
beliefs. On the other hand, some pregnant mothers prefer to fast despite their anxiety about their children’s
health, and they fast during pregnancy.
Objectives
To evaluate Ramadan fasting effects in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy on maternal health, fetal
growth and early neonatal outcome.
Patients and Methods
An observational case-control study carried out in Sulaymaniyah City/Kurdistan region/Iraq within a period
between April to October 2021, involving 220 healthy pregnant women presented one week before and within
the first week of Ramadan in their second or third trimester of pregnancy, they are grouped into two groups
(fasting and non-fasting) according to their choice. Both groups followed 4-8 weeks after the first visit and at
the delivery time.
The parameters observed in the first and second visits were maternal age, weight, residency, maternal job,
maternal blood pressure, haemoglobin (Hb), random blood glucose (RBS), gestational age measured by
ultrasound, amniotic fluid index (AFI), fetal growth measured by ultrasound.
The mode of delivery with an indication of cesarean section(C/S) was recorded in addition to the above
parameters at the time of delivery. In addition, birth weight and 5 minutes APGAR score were also recorded.
Results
Of 220 women, 77 were not fasting, and 143 were fasting. About 87 women presented in the second trimester
(57 cases were fasting), while 133 women presented in the third trimester (86 cases were fasting), and no
significant changes in the evaluated parameters were observed. There was no significant difference between
the fasting and non-fasting groups. Three babies from the fasting group were delivered during the preterm
period, while two were delivered preterm in the non-fasting group. This study recorded neither intrauterine
fetal death (IUFD) nor stillbirth. No significant difference in APGAR scores at 5 minutes and birth weight was
observed between the two groups.
Conclusion
Ramadan fasting does not increase the risk of maternal, fetal and early neonatal complications. Most Muslim
pregnant women do not recognize their right to be excused from fasting Ramadan by the Islamic religion, and
they have a high rate of fasting with very strong desire and happiness.

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  • Published at21 March 2023

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