Original Article

Journal of Perinatology (2005) 25, 90–92. doi:10.1038/sj.jp.7211221 Published online 4 November 2004

The Effect of Intermittent Maternal Fasting on Computerized Fetal Heart Tracing

Hisham M Mirghani MRCOG1, Sarath Weerasinghe FRCOG1, Shamsaa Al-Awar FRCS1, Lolowa Abdulla MBBS2 and Mutairu Ezimokhai FRCOG1

  1. 1Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology (H.M.M., S.W., S.A.A., M.E.), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
  2. 2Preventive Medicine Department (L.A.), Maternal Child Health Centre, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

Correspondence: Hisham M. Mirghani, MRCOG, Department Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, PO Box 17666, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

 

To determine effects of maternal fasting on antepartum computerized fetal heart tracing analysis.

STUDY DESIGN:

 

This was a cross-sectional study of two groups of healthy pregnant women who were recruited, a fasting and a nonfasting control group. Each pregnant woman gave a blood sample, and had a computerized fetal heart tracing.

RESULTS:

 

A total of 124 pregnant women were studied. The mean hours since the last oral intake were significantly different between the two groups (p=0.003). Fetuses of fasted mothers had fewer episodes of large acceleration compared to the controls (p=0.001). This difference was significantly associated with maternal appreciation of fetal movement (p=0.003).

CONCLUSION:

 

The number of large accelerations in computerized fetal heart tracing is decreased in pregnant women abstaining from food and water.

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