TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of Ramadan fasting on fetal health
T2 - A systematic review
AU - Ong, Andrew Khai Weyn
AU - Yee, Anne Li
AU - Fong, Adrian Jing Hong
AU - Arasoo, Valliammai Jayanthi Thirunavuk
AU - Ramadas, Amutha
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
PY - 2023/6
Y1 - 2023/6
N2 - Background: Ramadan fasting (RF) is mandatory for all healthy Muslims in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Although pregnant women are exempt from fasting, many make the decision to practise it. Concerns that fasting during pregnancy harms the fetus remain, as there are no firm recommendations regarding its safety. Objectives: To provide a systematic review on the effects of RF on fetal health. Search Strategy: We conducted a literature search for peer-reviewed articles through Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) until 31 December 2021. Selection Criteria: All case–control and observational cohort studies that reported on fetal outcomes of pregnant women who underwent RF for at least one day during pregnancy are included. Data Collection and Analysis: Two researchers independently reviewed the eligibility of all studies. A third researcher resolved any conflict between researchers. Findings are extracted from eligible papers and presented as narratives. Main Results: Fourteen articles are included based on eligibility criteria, with a total sample size of 2889. Studies demonstrate negative associations between RF and neonatal weight, amniotic fluid index, preterm birth and growth parameters mainly during the second and third trimesters. However, the evidence is not strongly supported. Conclusion: There is limited data to elucidate the relationship between RF and fetal health, hence the need for more studies to provide a better understanding.
AB - Background: Ramadan fasting (RF) is mandatory for all healthy Muslims in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Although pregnant women are exempt from fasting, many make the decision to practise it. Concerns that fasting during pregnancy harms the fetus remain, as there are no firm recommendations regarding its safety. Objectives: To provide a systematic review on the effects of RF on fetal health. Search Strategy: We conducted a literature search for peer-reviewed articles through Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) until 31 December 2021. Selection Criteria: All case–control and observational cohort studies that reported on fetal outcomes of pregnant women who underwent RF for at least one day during pregnancy are included. Data Collection and Analysis: Two researchers independently reviewed the eligibility of all studies. A third researcher resolved any conflict between researchers. Findings are extracted from eligible papers and presented as narratives. Main Results: Fourteen articles are included based on eligibility criteria, with a total sample size of 2889. Studies demonstrate negative associations between RF and neonatal weight, amniotic fluid index, preterm birth and growth parameters mainly during the second and third trimesters. However, the evidence is not strongly supported. Conclusion: There is limited data to elucidate the relationship between RF and fetal health, hence the need for more studies to provide a better understanding.
KW - fetal outcomes
KW - pregnant women
KW - Ramadan fasting
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85161061767&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/ajo.13706
DO - 10.1111/ajo.13706
M3 - Review Article
C2 - 37283305
AN - SCOPUS:85161061767
SN - 0004-8666
JO - Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
JF - Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
ER -