Effect of Maternal Fasting for Religious Beliefs on Fetal Sonographic Findings and Neonatal Outcomes

Objective: To investigate the effects of long-lasting maternal fasting on fetal biometry, amniotic fluid volume, fetal Doppler parameters, and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: The present study, conducted at Solhan State Hospital, Bingol, Turkey, between July and August 2013 recruited 82 healthy and otherwise normal pregnant women with a gestational age of 29 weeks or more who were fasting for at least 20 days. The control group comprised 87 healthy non-fasting women matched for maternal age, parity, gestational age. Fetal parameters were measured at the beginning and the end of the fasting month. Perinatal outcomes were compared between the groups.

Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in fetal biometry, fetal Doppler parameters, or neonatal outcomes. In the fasting group, however, there was a significantly greater decrease in amniotic fluid index during the fasting period (P<0.001). The number of women who initially had a normal amniotic fluid measurement and subsequently developed oligohydramnios was also significantly higher in the religious fasting group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Fetal development, Doppler parameters, and neonatal outcomes were not significantly affected in healthy fasting women; however, there was a significant association between fasting and amniotic fluid index. These findings mandate more frequent follow-up visits for this group of women.