The Effect of Short Term Maternal Fasting on Fetal Biophysical and Neonatal Biochemical Profile - A Pilot Study and a Short Critical Review of the Literature

Abstract

Abstract:Aim: To determine the net effect of strict maternal short term fasting on fetal biophysical parameters.Study Design: Prospective observational study among healthy women with a single term fetus, delivered by scheduled cesarean who had strict preoperative fast. Each subject serves as its own control. The Biophysical Profile Score was recorded. Statistics used paired t , non parametric Wilcoxon , McNemar tests (as appropriate) and correlations.Results: Twenty one women were recruited. We found no difference when the separate scoring entities were analyzed in the two maternal states. No correlation was found between maternal -fetal biochemical and hormonal status. All neonates were healthy.Conclusion: Short term fasting in healthy mothers is well tolerated by both the mother and the neonate. Standards need not to be adapted in the assessment of the low risk fetus and glucose containing drinks should not be offered in order to decrease the false positive rate of the biophysical profile.

Association between pregnant women fasting duration and neonatal hypoglycemia: A prospective cohort study

“…In addition, the maternal fasting times were longer in the present study. Another study showed no significant difference in blood glucose levels in pregnant women before and after an 8‐hour fast 22 . In the present study, neonatal hypoglycemia increased with maternal fasting times longer than 9–10 h, and the number of pregnant women who fasted for over 10 h was high.…”

“…Another study showed no significant difference in blood glucose levels in pregnant women before and after an 8-hour fast. 22 In the present study, neonatal hypoglycemia increased with maternal fasting times longer than 9-10 h, and the number of pregnant women who fasted for over 10 h was high. These differences from previous studies may have led to a higher proportion of neonatal hypoglycemia in the present study.…”