There is no doubt that Ramadan fasting among Muslim women has long-term effects on the well-being of unborn babies. The majority of studies done on this issue have only addressed the short-term outcomes of Ramadan fasting among pregnant Muslim women. For example, Arab and Nasrollahi (2001) conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the relationship between fetal birth weight and fasting during pregnancy (p.91). Although the findings of the study revealed a positive correlation between fetal birth weight and fasting during pregnancy, the outcomes were only based on the assessment of participants during Ramadan (Arab & Nasrollahi, 2001, p.91). In another cross-sectional study done by Kamyabi and Naderi (2004), participants were assessed to determine the effect of Ramadan fasting on amniotic fluid (p.45). However, this study only reported the short-term effects of Ramadan fasting on amniotic fluid (Kamyabi & Naderi, 2004, p.46).
Fasting among pregnant women is likely to affect the normal growth and development of babies in later years. Therefore, the principal aim of this research is to investigate and analyze the long-term effects of Ramadan fasting among pregnant Muslim women on unborn babies. This research topic is important because it will create awareness among policymakers and prenatal caregivers. For example, this research topic will enable healthcare administrators in advising pregnant fasting women on appropriate measures to be taken to protect their unborn babies from the long-term effects of Ramadan fasting. Moreover, this research topic will be used as a knowledge base for future studies on the long-term effects of Ramadan fasting among pregnant Muslim women on unborn babies.
References
Arab, M and Nasrollahi, S. (2001). Interrelation of Ramadan Fasting and Birth Weight. Medical Journal of Islamic Academy of Sciences, 14, 91-95.
Kamyabi, Z., and Naderi, T. (2004). The effect of Ramadan fasting on amniotic volume. Saudi Med Journal, 25, 45-46.