Long-Term Outcomes of in Utero Ramadan Exposure: A Systematic Literature Review

Mahanani, Melani Ratih; Abderbwih, Eman; Wendt, Amanda; Deckert, Andreas; Antia, K; Horstick, Olaf; Dambach, Peter; Köhler, Stefan; Winkler, Volker

doi:10.3390/nu13124511

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Sixteen studies were included. 47 Most studies suggest negative consequences from in utero Ramadan exposure on health and economic outcomes later in adulthood. Higher under-five mortality rate, higher mortality under three months and one year, shorter stature, lower BMI, increased incidence of vision, hearing, and learning disabilities, lower mathematics, writing, and reading scores, as well as a lower probability to own a home were associated with Ramadan exposure during conception or the first trimester of pregnancy.…”

Section: Highlights Of the Year's Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…There was no difference in anthropometric measurements of newborn children among both groups Two systematic reviews addressed the impact of RF on maternal and fetal health. 47,48 First, research on any longterm outcome of in utero Ramadan exposure was reviewed, excluding maternal and perinatal outcomes. Sixteen studies were included.…”

Section: Effects Of Rf On Maternal and Fetal Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ramadan Fasting in Health and Disease in 2021: A Narrative Review

Hassan-Beck

Hafidh

Badi³

et al. 2022

Ibnosina Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

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Introduction: The literature on the health aspects of Ramadan fasting (RF) is widely spread in many journals. Materials and Methods: This is a narrative review of data obtained from the PubMed database (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, United States). We used the search term “Ramadan fasting,” and relevant records were examined. The publications are narrated thematically. Results: The publications spanned fundamental, clinical, professional, cultural, and advocacy facets. The publications crossed conventional disciplinary lines and geographical locations and appeared in journals with different access systems. The contents are presented under the themes that emerged depending on the retrieved literature. This year basic coverage included changes in physiology and nutrition during Ramadan. However, the clinical issues included a wide range of topics. These included the impact of RF on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and adjustments needed in endocrine replacement therapy for hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency. Coverage also included chronic kidney disease. The impact on maternal health, fetal well-being, and long-term effects of RF exposures were addressed in several studies. Studies in cardiovascular medicine focused on blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors. Sports medicine and athletes' well-being received somewhat prominent coverage. The impact on renal function, particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease, was investigated by a few authors. Several groups addressed the eyes' structure and function, neurological conditions, especially headache disorders, and hematological and oncological conditions. Finally, the impact of RF on several aspects of mental health and well-being was addressed by various groups. Conclusions: Health aspects of RF received a sustained academic interest with a broad spectrum in 2021. This narration provides an overview of the year's scholarly health-related literature on various aspects of health and disease. It should help researchers and clinicians catch up quickly with the health concerns during Ramadan.

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Section: Highlights Of the Year's Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Effects Of Rf On Maternal and Fetal Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ramadan Fasting in Health and Disease in 2021: A Narrative Review

Hassan-Beck

Hafidh

Badi³

et al. 2022

Ibnosina Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

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“…A part of the literature on the health implications of Ramadan during pregnancy mainly finds associations among those for whom Ramadan during pregnancy occurs in early pregnancy [ 16 ]. Our finding that fasting rates are highest in the first pregnancy trimester might partly explain these previous findings, as some studies use intent-to-treat designs in which Ramadan exposure is measured as the occurrence of a Ramadan during pregnancy rather than via actual fasting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Estimated rates of fasting among pregnant Muslims range from 54% in the Netherlands to 87% in Pakistan and Singapore and 99% in Bangladesh [ 4 – 7 ]. While the literature on Ramadan fasting during pregnancy and birth outcomes has remained inconclusive [ 8 ], various studies demonstrated that being born in the months after a Ramadan is predictive of worse later-life cognitive and physical health outcomes among Muslims, including symptoms of pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes, increased disability rates, and worse performance in school and on the job market [ 9 – 16 ]. It is generally assumed that maternal intermittent fasting is the driver of the associations with offspring health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ramadan during pregnancy and neonatal health—Fasting, dietary composition and sleep patterns

et al. 2023

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Background and objectives Large shares of pregnant Muslims worldwide observe the Ramadan fast. Previous research showed that Ramadan during pregnancy is associated with adverse offspring health outcomes lasting throughout the life-course. Evidence on effects on birth outcomes is inconclusive, however, and previous research did not consider the role of dietary composition and sleep patterns during Ramadan. This study systematically documents maternal lifestyle during Ramadan and assesses if diet and sleep adaptations to Ramadan, independent of and in addition to maternal fasting, are associated with neonatal health outcomes. Methods This study reports a survey of 326 Muslims who delivered their baby in Mainz, Germany, linked to maternal & infant hospital records. Participants reported on fasting, dietary composition and sleep schedules while pregnant during Ramadan. Results Fasting during pregnancy was associated with reduced birthweight, in particular for fasting during the first trimester (-352ˑ92g, 95% CI: -537ˑ38; -168ˑ46). Neither dietary composition nor altered sleep were directly associated with birthweight. However, dietary composition during Ramadan outside of fasting hours seems to moderate the fasting-birthweight association, which disappeared for women switching to high-fat diets. Conclusions The finding that dietary intake during Ramadan potentially moderates the fasting-birthweight association is of high relevance to pregnant Muslims who wish to fast and their healthcare professionals, since dietary choices outside of fasting hours are often relatively easily modifiable. 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 (macro)nutrients and food groups.

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“…Among the several risk factors for infertility [ 14 ], gestational exposure to endocrine disruptors, such as bisphenol A (BPA), in combination with HFD may lead to impaired spermatogenesis in F1 and F2 offspring [ 15 ], supporting evidence on the transgenerational inheritance of reproductive disorders as well as of metabolic diseases [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. With this in mind, studies aiming to unravel the long-term effects of maternal nutrition [ 19 ] may help to further elucidate the relevance and the mechanisms through which gestational nutrients can program metabolic and reproductive functions later in life, as well as in offspring.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%