The effect of intermittent maternal fasting on computerized fetal heart tracing.
OBJECTIVE
To determine effects of maternal fasting on antepartum computerized fetal heart tracing analysis.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study of two groups of healthy pregnant women who were recruited, a fasting and a nonfasting control group. Each pregnant woman gave a blood sample, and had a computerized fetal heart tracing.


RESULTS
A total of 124 pregnant women were studied. The mean hours since the last oral intake were significantly different between the two groups (p=0.003). Fetuses of fasted mothers had fewer episodes of large acceleration compared to the controls (p=0.001). This difference was significantly associated with maternal appreciation of fetal movement (p=0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
The number of large accelerations in computerized fetal heart tracing is decreased in pregnant women abstaining from food and water.
Mirghani
Hisham M
HM
Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology (H.M.M., S.W., S.A.A., M.E.), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Weerasinghe
Sarath
S
Al-Awar
Shamsaa
S
Abdulla
Lolowa
L
Ezimokhai
Mutairu
M
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005324:Fetal Movement / Q000502:physiology; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D039401:Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose