effect of Ramadan fasting on preterm labor

ABSTRACT

Preterm -Labor increases the expenses of health costs. If it starts, there is no definite treatment. Some studies argue about prolonged starvation and Ramadan fasting in pregnancy with preterm Labor. This study is to clarify Ramadan fasting in pregnancy and preterm labor relationship. Two-hundred and seventy preterm labors as case group and 966 term. labor controls are studied regarding Ramadan fasting in pregnancy, In 2003 fasting interval was about 12 hours. Maternal age, parity, gravity, abortion and history of preterm labor was similar in two groups. One-hundred and nine [40.4.%] out of 270 preterm labor cases were fasting in pregnancy and 161 [54.6%] were not. Three hundred and ninety eight [41.2%] out of 966 term labors were fasting and 568 [58.8%] were not. Ramadan fasting in pregnancy did not increase preterm labor probability [P 0.76]. In the subgroup of Ramadan fasting in the first pregnancy, fasting caused a decrease in preterm labor probability [p 0.000]. About 12 hours Ramadan fasting in pregnancy does not increase preterm labor probability