Effect of fasting during Ramadan on fetal development and maternal health

The aim of the present study was to determine whether fasting during Ramadan causes ketonemia and/or ketonuria and their effects on fetal intrauterine development.

Thirty-six consecutive healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies of >or=20 weeks of gestation who were fasting during Ramadan were included in the study group (group 1). The control group (group 2) consisted of 29 healthy pregnant women who were not fasting. Doppler ultrasonography was performed in all subjects in the beginning and at the end of Ramadan to evaluate the changes in the following measurements: fetal biparietal diameter; fetal femur length; and estimated fetal body weight. Fetal biophysical profile, amniotic fluid index, and umbilical artery systole/diastole ratio were measured in the beginning and at the end of Ramadan. Effects of fasting on the mother were evaluated by measuring serum concentrations of 3ss hydroxybutyrate and glucose, and urinary concentration of ketone. Subjects with any of the followings were excluded: diabetes; thyroid dysfunction; Cushing's syndrome; adrenal disease; pre-eclampsia; and multiple pregnancy.

The mean duration of fasting in the study group was 18 +/- 2.1 days. The mean maternal glucose level was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (P = 0.003). No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in the comparisons of other parameters.

We concluded that fasting during Ramadan does not lead to maternal ketonemia or ketonuria in pregnant women. In addition, fasting during Ramadan has no significant adverse effect on intrauterine fetal development or the fetus's health.