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

Increased density of Demodex folliculorum mites in pregnancies with gestational diabetes

To investigate the presence of Demodex in patients with gestational diabetes and the impact of glucose regulation on Demodex density in gestational diabetes. The study population consisted of 33 patients with gestational diabetes and 30 pregnant women without gestational diabetes [control group]. The age, parity, gestational age, and BMI of the study group were recorded and the patients were divided into 2 groups, i.e. those with regulated and unregulated glucose levels, according to their postprandial 1st- and 2nd-hour glucose values. A standardized skin surface biopsy method was used to determine if patients had Demodex folliculorum infestation [>5 mites/cm2 of skin].Patients with gestational diabetes had a statistically significantly higher Demodex density compared to the control group [24.2 vs. 3.3%; p < 0.001]. Furthermore, a significantly higher proportion of gestational diabetes patients with unregulated glucose levels had a higher Demodex density compared to those in the regulated subgroup [6/19 vs. 2/14; p = 0.001]. Our study revealed that the Demodex density was increased in gestational diabetes patients. Further, poor glucose regulation could be the mechanism responsible for the increased Demodex density in gestational diabetes patients with unregulated glucose levels compared to those with regulated glucose levels