nahid sarafraz - Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kashan University of Medical Science, Kashan, Iran
Fatemeh Abbaszadeh - Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kashan University of Medical Science, Kashan, Iran
Azam Bagheri - Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kashan University of Medical Science, Kashan, Iran
Mahboobeh Kafaei Atrian - Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kashan University of Medical Science, Kashan, IranDepartment of Health Promotion, School of Health (Campus), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Background and Objectives: several investigations have been done to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on fetal and maternal health, which have all led to controversial results. The role of Ramadan fasting time in birth weight is still unclear. This study evaluated the effect of fasting at different periods of pregnancy on birth weight. Methods: ۲۵۰ pregnant women fasting at least one day during Ramadan participated in this retrospective cohort study. Subjects were categorized into ۳ groups, namely first trimester (n=۱۱۲), second trimester (n=۶۸) and third trimester (n=۷۰) of pregnancy. Demographic and anthropometric data, obstetric history and history of Ramadan fasting were recorded. After delivery, neonatal birth weight was measured. The mean of weight and frequency of low birth weight in each group were calculated. Probable related factors of low birth weight of neonates with fasting mothers were evaluated. Results: The mean of birth weight in different groups of Ramadan fasting time in first, second and third trimester of pregnancy were ۳۴۱۱.۵۲±۵۲۹.۸۸, ۳۲۱۴.۵۷±۴۶۳.۵۶ and ۳۳۳۶.۸۶±۴۴۴.۸۹ gr respectively, which had a statistically significant difference (p=۰.۰۳). Frequencies of low birth weight in different groups of Ramadan fasting time in first trimester was ۸.۹%, in second trimester ۸.۸% and in third trimester it was ۷.۱%, which had no statistically significant difference (p=۰.۹). Among all evaluated factors, only neonatal sex was related to low birth weight. Conclusion: Time of Ramadan fasting during pregnancy does not affect birth weight.

Ramadan fasting, Birth weight, Pregnancy, Infant