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Background: The primary aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of pregnant women who fast during Ramadan. The secondary outcome was their beliefs and motivations regarding fasting during Ramadan in addition to the consequences of fasting on maternal and neonatal outcome.Methods: A retrospective review of pregnant patients aged between 18-45 years who presented for antenatal care in the private clinic in Beirut, Lebanon during or after the month of Ramadan between 2010 and 2019 was performed.Results: A total of 502 pregnant patients were included in the study, of which 426 (84.9%) fasted during Ramadan and 76 (15.1%) did not fast at all. Of those who fasted, 148 (34.7%) fasted between 1 and 15 days while 278 (65.3%) fasted more than 15 days. Multiparous and non-Lebanese women had significantly higher rate of fasting compared to primiparous and Lebanese women. Adherence to fasting was associated with the spiritual environment that accompanies the month of Ramadan while non-adherence was mainly related to the fear from adverse effects on the mother and fetus. Fasting was not significantly associated with maternal complications or decreased neonatal birth weight.Conclusions: The present study showed that Ramadan fasting is important to pregnant Muslim women. This was manifested by the relatively high rate of fasting even in summer and spring seasons. Understanding the beliefs and motivations of pregnant women would provide valuable insight to physicians to appropriately advise these women without compromising the maternal or fetal well-being.
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The rate of cesarean section is increasing worldwide. It decreases maternal and fetal mortality when complications happen. However, it is a major surgery that could be associated with maternal and fetal risks especially after repeat cesarean deliveries. We report a case of a woman who had her 9th C-section.
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Lymphangiomas are rare congenital malformations of the lymphatic system. Authors present a case with giant, septated, axillary thoraco-abdominal lymphangioma. Diagnosis was made at 19 weeks’ gestation by antenatal ultrasonography. The case underwent prenatal expectation treatment.
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Background: Central nervous system conditions may affect every aspect of female reproduction from fertility to lactation. The objective of this study was to examine the performance of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of maternal neurologic disorders and to examine the outcome of pregnancies complicated by abnormal neurologic imaging.Methods: Retrospective observational study of 20 parturients presenting with severe neurologic symptoms (January 2006 to January 2016).Results: Abnormal neuro-radiological findings were found. Only 10% of the computed tomography-scans were normal. Both magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography that were performed in all cases showed cerebral edema (90%) with different degrees, thereby cerebral edema was the predominant lesion. Pertaining to its localization, 65% were localized in the parietal or occipital area, 10% in the paraventricular area, and 10% were diffused. Also, 35% showed intracerebral hemorrhage and 10% showed cerebellar hemorrhage. The incidence of neurological disorders in pregnancy and puerperium was high. Epilepsy and headache were the most common primary and secondary neurological disorders.Conclusions: The role of neuroimaging in diagnosing neurological disorders is crucial for prevention of severe complications.