Fetal activity and nonstress test results in pregnant women undergoing a prolonged fasting period

الملخص AR

Objective: To identify the impact ofprolonged maternal fasting on fetal activity and on the results of the non- stress test.

Patients and Methods: Sixty healthy pregnant women at 34-40 weeks of gestation were studied.

Each was monitored on the same day after 12 hours of absolute fasting and again after breaking the fast during the month of Ramadan.

Results: There was a highly significant reduction in fetal activity during the fasting period which was reflected in a significant increase in the incidence of nonstress test nonreactivity (P<0.001) compared to after eating.

The fetal outcome was good in all cases.

Conclusion: The nonstress test was not found to be reliable for the assessment of fetal well being during a peri¬od ofprolonged maternal fasting