No increase in preterm delivery with Ramadan fasting

August 7, 2012 in Overweight and Obesity

No increase in preterm delivery with ramadan fasting

Pregnant women who fast during the month of Ramadan do not have an increased risk of preterm delivery, regardless of when during gestation the fasting occurs, according to research published online July 25 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

(HealthDay) -- Pregnant women who fast during the month of Ramadan do not have an increased risk of preterm delivery, regardless of when during gestation the fasting occurs, according to research published online July 25 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Johnny Awwad, M.D., of the American University of Beirut Medical Centre, and colleagues conducted a involving 402 women (201 in the fasting group and 201 in the control group) who received prenatal care between 20 and 34 weeks of gestation during the month of Ramadan in 2008. The authors sought to determine what effect fasting had on the rate of preterm delivery.

No difference in the rate of preterm delivery was observed for Ramadan-fasted women compared with women in the control group. Also, no difference in the rate of preterm delivery was observed between those who fasted before or during the third trimester. However, the researchers found that the mean of infants from fasting mothers was lower (3,094 versus 3,202 g; P = 0.024). Additionally, Ramadan-fasted women had higher rates of ketosis and ketonuria.

"In conclusion, the findings of the present study showed that Ramadan fasting during the month of September did not increase maternal risk for preterm delivery in healthy singleton pregnancies >20 weeks of gestation, despite a smaller gain in maternal weight, increased incidence of ketosis and ketonuria, and significant reduction in birth weight," the authors write.

More information: Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Journal reference: BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology search and more info website

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

send feedback to editors
not rated yet  

Filter


Move the slider to adjust rank threshold, so that you can hide some of the comments.


Display comments: newest first

freethinking
Aug 07, 2012

Rank: 1 / 5 (1)
For the longest time I was impressed with muslims being able to fast so long, till a muslim friend Ramadan told me how fasting is tough on him. He told me you don't eat from sun rise to sun down. I asked him what he eats in the evening, oh we feast then to make up for not eating during the day.

I always though fasting no food at all. When I fast for 2 or 3 days, it means no food. Ramadan fasting to me isn't fasting, its just not eating for 12 hrs followed by feasting. Something like I do for thanksgiving. I don't eat a day before thanksgiving.

Rank not rated yet
Tags

obstetrics and gynaecology, journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, prospective cohort study, birth weight, third trimester, control group, prenatal care, pregnancy, singleton, pregnant women, preterm delivery, fasting, women, weight
Related Stories
more news
Relevant PhysicsForums posts

More news stories

Genetic risk for obesity found in many Mexican young adults

As many as 35 percent of Mexican young adults may have a genetic predisposition for obesity, said a University of Illinois scientist who conducted a study at the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosί.

Overweight and Obesity created 18 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

'Doctor shopping' by obese patients negatively affects health

Overweight and obese patients are significantly more likely than their normal-weight counterparts to repeatedly switch primary care doctors, a practice that disrupts continuity of care and leads to more emergency room visits, ...

Overweight and Obesity created 19 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Child maltreatment increases risk of adult obesity

Children who have suffered maltreatment are 36% more likely to be obese in adulthood compared to non-maltreated children, according to a new study by King's College London. The authors estimate that the prevention or effective ...

Overweight and Obesity created May 21, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Young children appear to reject story characters who are obese

(Medical Xpress)—Research by the University of Leeds has shown that very young children appear to reject story book characters who are overweight, but not those who are disabled.

Overweight and Obesity created May 16, 2013 | popularity 3 / 5 (1) | comments 4

Gene variations may explain weight gain among men, women

(HealthDay)—Weight gain in men and women is predicted by two different genetic variations—so-called polymorphisms, according to a new study from the Netherlands.

Overweight and Obesity created May 15, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast


A molecular explanation for age-related fertility decline in women

(Medical Xpress)—Scientists supported by the National Institutes of Health have a new theory as to why a woman's fertility declines after her mid-30s. They also suggest an approach that might help slow ...

Alcohol sales fall due to ban on multi-buy promotions

(Medical Xpress)—A report published today shows a 2.6% decrease in the amount of alcohol sold per adult in Scotland in the year following the introduction of the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Act in October 2011.

Facing the chill wind of blood pressure

(Medical Xpress)—High blood pressure is something that has traditionally been a problem in Scotland, but might there be a link to our climate?

US health care: Does more spending yield better health?

(Medical Xpress)—Health care spending is much higher for older Americans than for younger adults and children, on average, and analysts have said that increasing spending leads to longer life expectancy.

Succesful results in developing oral vaccine against diarrhea

The University of Gothenburg Vaccine Research Institute (GUVAX) announces successful results in a placebo controlled phase I study of an oral, inactivated Escherichia coli diarrhea vaccine.

American, Nepalese kids a world apart on social duties

(Medical Xpress)—Preschoolers universally recognize that one's choices are not always free – that our decisions may be constrained by social obligations to be nice to others or follow rules set by parents ...