title: The effect of Ramadan fasting on fetal development.
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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors: Dr. Atilla Karateke, Antakya State Hospital of Obstetrics and Child Care, Hatay, Turkey.
authors: Atilla
authors: A
authors: Karateke
authors: Dr. Mustafa Kaplanoglu, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Adiyaman University Medical School, Adiyaman, Turkey.
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Kaplanoglu
authors: Dr. Fazil Avci, Agri Patnos State Hospital of Obstetrics and Child Care, Agri, Turkey.
authors: Fazil
authors: F
authors: Avci
authors: Dr. Raziye Keskin Kurt, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mustafa Kemal University Medical School, Hatay, Turkey.
authors: Raziye Keskin
authors: RK
authors: Kurt
authors: Dr. Ali Baloglu, Izmir Private Gynecology Clinic, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Baloglu
keywords: Fasting; Fetal development; Ramadan