effect of Ramadan fasting on fetal development

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

Conclusion: 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

Evaluation of Mean Platelet Volume values in lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Mean Platelet Volume [MPV] is an important indicator of platelet activation. It is known that MPV increases in patients with coronory artery disease, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis and Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS]. Our aim was to measure the MPV in lean patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. The present study was designed to examine the platelet function by measuring MPV in non-obese women with PCOS. A total of 50 outpatients with PCOS were included. The control group consisted of 50 healthy subjects. Serum platelet, MPV, and white blood cell [WBC] levels were compared and evaluated retrospectively in all participants. These values were compared by statistical analysis. There were no statistically significant difference in between groups regarding MPV [p=0.357], WBC [p=0.414] and platelet [p=0.666]. There are studies implying MPV increase in PCOS patients, in our patients MPV levels did not correlate with PCOS except for patients with obesity. We think that PCOS itself has no effect on MPV levels and obesity changes MPV levels