Ramadan fasting during pregnancy associated with reduced birth weight, especially during first trimester

The study surveyed 326 Muslim women who delivered their babies in Mainz, Germany, and linked their responses to maternal and infant hospital records. Participants reported on fasting, dietary composition, and sleep schedules while pregnant during Ramadan.

The results showed that fasting during pregnancy was associated with reduced birth weight, especially during the first trimester.

Maternal dietary composition and altered sleep were not directly associated with birth weight, but the findings suggested that the association between fasting and birth weight may be moderated by dietary intake during Ramadan outside of fasting hours.

Specifically, women who switched to high-fat diets seemed to have a reduced risk of low birth weight.

This is the first study to include information on maternal diet and sleep during Ramadan, and additional research is needed to assess the roles of specific macronutrients and food groups. The study provides important information that can help healthcare professionals provide advice on dietary choices to pregnant women who choose to fast during Ramadan.

Reference:

Pradella, F., Leimer, B., Fruth, A., Queißer-Wahrendorf, A., & van Ewijk, R. J. (2023). Ramadan during pregnancy and neonatal health—Fasting, dietary composition and sleep patterns. In S. M. Hussain (Ed.), PLOS ONE (Vol. 18, Issue 2, p. e0281051). Public Library of Science (PLoS). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0281051