The effect of maternal diet restriction on pregnancy outcome

Am J Perinatol. 2006 Jan;23(1):21-4. doi: 10.1055/s-2005-923435.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of intermittent maternal fasting on pregnancy outcome. The course and outcome of 168 fasted pregnant women were reviewed. A total of 168 fasted and 156 control pregnant women were studied. The incidence of gestational diabetes (GDM) was significantly higher in the fasted group than in the control group ( p = 0.001). Labor was induced in 26 of 168 women (15.5%) in the fasted group compared with 11 of 156 women (7.1%) in the control group ( p = 0.004). The cesarean section rate was significantly higher in the fasted group ( p = 0.01). There was no difference in Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes between the two groups. Admission to the special care baby unit (SCBU) was significantly more frequent in the fasted group than the control group ( p = 0.001). Maternal diet restriction is associated with an increased risk of GDM and induction of labor. The frequency of neonatal admission to SCBU is increased.

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cesarean Section / statistics & numerical data
  • Diabetes, Gestational / epidemiology
  • Fasting / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Labor, Induced / statistics & numerical data
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • United Arab Emirates / epidemiology