Effect of Ramadan fasting on amniotic fluid index in last month of pregnancy

Objective: To assess the effect of fasting in Ramadan on amniotic fluid index (AFI). Design: A cross sectional observational study. Methods: This study was conducted between July 21, 2012 and August 17, 2012, which corresponded to the 3rd and 27th days of the month of Ramadan 1433 and from July 12, 2013 and August 6, 2013, which corresponded to the 3rd and 27th days of the month of Ramadan 1434. Pregnant women attending the antenatal care clinic at Assiut and Qena University Hospitals were included in this study. The study groups included fasting and non fasting women beyond 36 weeks of gestation. The study took place at the same time of day (i.e., between 9 and 12 AM). Results: A total of 221 pregnant women were studied, 97 fasting and 124 non fasting. As regards age, parity and the gestational age no significant differences were reported. The AFI was less affected by fasting, also there was a significant difference in the AFI between fasting and non fasting pregnant women with oligohydramnios (4.00 ± 0.82 and 2.64 ± 1.12 respectively). A positive relationship with gravidity was observed as AFI increased with the increase of gravidity in pregnant fasting women, on the other hand there was variable non significant relation between AFI and gravidity in pregnant non fasting women. Conclusion: We conclude that the fasting in Ramadan has no effect on or may improve the AFI in the last month, while gravidity plays a role in the AFI in fasting group