Effect of Ramadan fasting during pregnancy on neonatal birth weight

Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the 9th lunar month. The duration of fasting varies from 13 to 18 hrs per day. Fasting individuals abstain from drinking liquids and eating foods. Many pregnant women and gynecologists are concerned about the possible complications associated with fasting and effects on fetal health. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Ramadan fasting on neonatal birth weight. The current historical cohort study was performed on pregnant women attending maternity hospitals in Kashan in 2008. Two fasting and non?fasting groups were compared. Multiple pregnancies and gestational age less than 37 weeks were considered as the exclusion criteria. In fasting and nonfasting groups, age, parity, gestational age, body mass index [BMI], mother's occupation, prenatal care attendance and intended or unintended pregnancy were matched. For the statistical analysis of the data, covariance analysis and SPSS v16.0 were used. In this study, 293 cases were evaluated among whom 31.7% did notfast. In the two groups, the mean age, gestational age, parity and weight gain during pregnancy were not significantly different. The mean birth weight was 3338 g [ +/- 498 g] and 3343 g [ +/- 339 g] in fasting and non?fasting groups respectively. The results showed that the mean birth weight of the neonates in fasting and non?fasting groups was not significantly different [P=0. 931]. The results of this study indicated that there is no significant relationship between the neonatal birth weight and maternal fasting during pregnancy. Therefore we declare that fasting for pregnant women who receive prenatal care has no effects on neonatal birth weight

Association between menstrual cycle regularity and obesity-related anthropometric indices in dormitory students of Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

A significant proportion of the women in reproductive ages suffer from problems such as menstrual irregularities. The aim of this study was to determine the association between menstrual cycle regularity and obesity-related anthropometric indices in students of Kashan University of Medical Sciences in 2012. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a questionnaire through systematic random sampling at dormitory of Kashan University of Medical Sciences from September to October 2012. The questionnaire contained demographic questions, menstrual cycle characteristics, anthropometric measurements and Visual Analog Scale questionnaire for pain. A midwifery student measured obesity-related anthropometric measurements included waist, pelvis, thigh and mid-arm circumference, height and weight. A total of 250 students entered in the study. Mean +/- Standard deviation [SD] age of students was 21.295 +/- 1.585 years. Irregular menstruation was seen in 17 students [6.8%]. Results showed a significant statistical between menstrual cycles regularity with height [MD = -3.37, confidence interval [CI] = -6.039 to 0.703, P = 0.013], body mass index [BMI] [MD = 1.654, CI = 0.199–3.109, P = 0.026], and pelvic-to-height ratio [MD = 0.027, CI = 0.003–0.051, P = 0.023]. Mean +/- SD duration and interval of menstrual cycles were 6.564 +/- 1.3014 and 29.301 +/- 4.821 days, respectively. Based on the Pearson correlation index, menstrual intervals showed significant statistical between waist-to-thigh [P = 0.010] and arm-to-thigh [P = 0.019] ratio, but showed no correlation with other anthropometric indices. In the univariate analysis to assess the unadjusted relationships, there were significant statistical between waist-to-thigh and arm-to-thigh ratio with menstrual interval. Due to association between menstrual cycle regularity and obesity-related anthropometric indices, control of weight and BMI may lead to a reduction of menstrual irregularity