The Effect of Ramadan Fasting On Neonatal Weight In Different Trimesters Of Pregnancy

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: 250 pregnant women fasting at least one day during Ramadan participated in this retrospective cohort study. Subjects were categorized into 3 groups, namely first trimester (n=112), second trimester (n=68) and third trimester (n=70) 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 3411.52±529.88, 3214.57±463.56 and 3336.86±444.89 gr respectively, which had a statistically significant difference (p=0.03). Frequencies of low birth weight in different groups of Ramadan fasting time in first trimester was 8.9%, in second trimester 8.8% and in third trimester it was 7.1%, which had no statistically significant difference (p=0.9). 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

Effect of Ramadan fasting during pregnancy on neonatal birth weight

Aim &Background: Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the 9th lunar month. The duration of fasting varies from 13 to 18 hrs per day. Fasting individuals abstain from drinking liquids and eating foods. Manypregnant women and gynecologists are concerned about the possible complicationsassociated with fasting and effects on fetal health. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Ramadan fasting on neonatalbirth weight.Materials and Methods: The current historical cohort study was performed on pregnant women attending maternity hospitals in Kashan in 2008. Twofasting and non-fasting groups were compared. Multiple pregnancies and gestational age less than 37 weeks were considered as the exclusion criteria. In fasting and non-fasting groups, age, parity, gestational age, body mass index (BMI), mother's occupation, prenatal care attendance and intended or unintended pregnancy were matched. For the statistical analysis of the data, covariance analysis and SPSS v16.0 were used. Results: In this study, 293 cases were evaluated among whom 31.7% did notfast. In the two groups, the mean age, gestational age, parity and weight gain during pregnancy were not significantly different. The mean birth weight was 3338 g (±498 g) and 3343 g (± 339 g) in fasting and non-fasting groups respectively. The results showed that the mean birth weight of the neonates in fasting and non-fasting groups was not significantly different (p=0. 931) Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that there is no significant relationship between the neonatal birth weight and maternal fasting during pregnancy. Therefore we declare thatfasting for pregnant women who receive prenatal care has no effects on neonatal birth weight

Reliability and Validity of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination in the Evaluation of Clinical Skills of Midwifery Students (Kashan, 2014)

This study was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of OSCE in evaluating the clinical skills of midwifery students at Kashan University of Medical Sciences in 2014. This descriptive-correlational study was carried out on 23 senior midwifery students. The OSCE scores were calculated according to the structured objective checklists. Content and criterion validity and reliability were also assessed. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS-16 using ANOVA and Spearman correlation coefficients. There was a significant relationship between the clinical scores and the OSCE score (P=0.03). The reliability results of the evaluation of stations by two observers showed that the lowest and highest correlation coefficients between observers were 0.58 and 1.00, respectively. Owing to good reliability and validity of this test in the first period of its implementation in Kashan, it can be recommended for subsequent periods as part of the final exam for midwifery students

COMPARISON OF SERUM LEVELS OF CRP AND URIC ACID IN ACTIVE, PASSIVE, AND NON-SMOKERS

AbstractINTRODUCTION: Some studies have shown that C-reactive protein (CRP) and uricacid may have a role in development of coronary artery disease (CAD); the role cigarettesmoking plays in CAD through various mechanisms has also been demonstrated. Hence,the question is raised: does cigarette smoking exert its atherogenic effect throughincreasing CRP and uric acid levels in the serum? The first step in responding to thisquestion would be to study the relationship between cigarette smoking, CAD, CRP anduric acid levels. As cigarette smoking is highly prevalent in Iran, the present study wasconducted to compare mean serum levels of CRP and uric acid in 3 groups of activesmokers, passive smokers, and non-smokers, to determine any possible associationbetween cigarette smoking and serum CRP and uric acid levels.METHODS: The study involved 177 men aged 20-40 years in 3 groups of activesmokers, passive smokers, and non-smokers (59 individuals in each group). In addition,fasting blood samples were taken from all subjects to measure serum levels of CRPserologically and uric acid photometrically (using ELAN 2000). Questionnaires onanthropometrics, personal information, disease history, drug use and other relatedsubjects were completed for all the subjects.RESULTS: Mean serum CRP levels were 5.