The effect of Ramadan fasting on LH, FSH, oestrogen, progesterone and leptin in pregnant women

Abstract

Many pregnant Muslim women fast during Ramadan. Leptin has an important role in the reproductive system and hormones. In this study, FSH, LH, oestrogen, progesterone and leptin were measured in the first, second and fourth week of Ramadan and the second week post-Ramadan, in 30 fasting pregnant women. Data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA by SPSS. The weight and BMI did not change during the study. A significant change in FSH, oestrogen, progesterone and leptin was observed (p < 0.05). The lowest value of FSH was in the second week of Ramadan. Progesterone increased at the end of Ramadan and the second week after. Oestrogen increased significantly during Ramadan and decreased after Ramadan. A decreasing trend was seen in LH during the Ramadan and 2 weeks after (p < 0.1). Leptin decreased significantly 2 weeks after Ramadan. We found poor weight gain and hypoleptinaemia in pregnant fasted women during the study. Food restriction in pregnant fasted women during Ramadan may induce poor weight gain during pregnancy. These data confirm that Ramadan fasting by pregnant women may have potential risks during pregnancy. We recommend further study to evaluate long-term effects of Ramadan fasting during pregnancy in different countries with different food habits and traditions, to obtain reliable and documented data.

Ramadan exposure and birth outcomes: a population-based study from the Netherlands

“…There have recently been a growing number of studies into the possible health effects of Ramadan during pregnancy. The dietary intake and weight gain of fasting pregnant women are reduced, 14,15 and fasting has been associated with several metabolic alterations including reduction in serum glucose, insulin, lactate, and carnitine levels, as well as elevation in serum triglyceride, cortisol, and leptin concentrations. 14,15 Most previous studies on Ramadan and birth outcomes were small and included only births within a limited time period, which allowed for only a limited correction for the confounding effects of seasonality.…”

“…The dietary intake and weight gain of fasting pregnant women are reduced, 14,15 and fasting has been associated with several metabolic alterations including reduction in serum glucose, insulin, lactate, and carnitine levels, as well as elevation in serum triglyceride, cortisol, and leptin concentrations. 14,15 Most previous studies on Ramadan and birth outcomes were small and included only births within a limited time period, which allowed for only a limited correction for the confounding effects of seasonality. In the present study, we use data from a nationwide registry over an 11-year time period to evaluate birth outcomes of all babies born to mothers of Turkish and Moroccan descent (grouped together under the label "Mediterranean") in the Netherlands whose pregnancies overlapped with Ramadan, irrespective of lifestyle changes.…”

Effect of Fasting of Ramadan on Infertile Women Undergoing &lt;i&gt;In-Vitro&lt;/i&gt; Fertilization/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Cycles: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…Most of them did not show any detrimental effects of fasting in healthy women or on the neonatal outcome [16] [17]. Other studies reported that Ramadan fasting during pregnancy might have potential risks [18]. A later study confirmed that menstrual abnormalities, including oligomenorrhoea, polymenorrhoea, and hypermenorrhoea, increase during Ramadan, especially in participants who fasted more than 15 days [19].…”

Pandemic of Pregnant Obese Women: Is It Time to Re-Evaluate Antenatal Weight Loss?

“…Another condition of religious fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, may pose risks to pregnant women. In a sample of 30 fasting pregnant women, Khoshdel and colleagues measured significant changes in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen, progesterone and leptin levels ( p < 0.05) [ 68 ]. Additionally, poor weight gain in the pregnant fasted women was observed during the study [ 68 ].…”

“…In a sample of 30 fasting pregnant women, Khoshdel and colleagues measured significant changes in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen, progesterone and leptin levels ( p < 0.05) [ 68 ]. Additionally, poor weight gain in the pregnant fasted women was observed during the study [ 68 ]. In another study, Ziaee and colleagues studied a historical cohort of pregnant women seen at Tehran hospitals at one of the trimesters in the holy month of Ramadan [ 69 ].…”