Ramadan and birth weight at full term in Asian Moslem pregnant women in Birmingham

Article Abstract:

To investigate the effects of maternal metabolic changes on fetal development, the birth weights of infants born to Asian Moslem women during a 20-year period were evaluated. Moslems take part in the month-long Ramadan fast, during which one is supposed to fast from sunrise to sunset. Although pregnant women are exempted from fasting, according to religious law, most observe the ritual, since missed days must be made up later and people prefer not to fast alone. Data were taken from birth records; the mothers of the 13,351 infants studied were categorized as Moslem Asian (mainly Pakistani), non-Moslem Asian (mainly Hindu) or ''white,'' based on the first three letters of the mother's maiden name. Each Moslem Asian birth was matched with a non-Moslem Asian and a white birth that had occurred within the same two-day period. Birth weights and the proportion of low-birth-weight babies (under 2,500 grams) were calculated, and the date of Ramadan in relationship to the birth was noted. Results showed no effects of the timing of Ramadan on average birth weight; white infants, however, had higher birth weights than either of the other groups. Although an increase was seen in the number of low-birth-weight babies born to Moslem mothers 17 to 25 weeks pregnant when Ramadan began, and to non-Moslem Asian mothers when the fast began between 13 and 18 weeks' gestational age, these were not statistically significant trends. The results indicate that the fast of Ramadan has no negative effects on birth weight. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Malnutrition, Fasting, Fetal malnutrition, Malnutrition in pregnancy, Ramadan

---

Maternal psychological stress/depression and low birth weight: is there a relationship?

Article Abstract:

Despite a decrease in the neonatal mortality rate, there is still a persistently high incidence of low-birth-weight babies born in the United States. Societal pressures can impose significant levels of psychological stress on pregnant women. Recent studies suggest that there is a relationship between maternal stress and low-birth-weight babies. Animal studies have shown that the stress syndrome in the mother may directly impact on the fetus, either by causing preterm delivery or by way of the action of maternal stress-induced chemical release. Indirectly, the response of the mother to stress in her environment may be to smoke cigarettes, abuse alcohol and drugs, and experience poor prenatal care and nutrition; all these factors are known to contribute to low birth weight. Psychosocial trauma tends to cause undernutrition in the pregnant woman, which necessarily has an adverse effect on the growth of the fetus. Those women at greatest risk of stress, poor women, also have the highest risk of acquiring cervical infections and sexually transmitted diseases. Social support and environmental improvement can diminish the effect of stress-induced problems in the pregnant woman. The specific stresses, which may be psychological, social, and biological, need to be identified and studied. The study groups need to be sufficiently large and representative of the population in order to provide reliable and valid data. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects, Risk factors, Fetus, Pregnant women, Fetal growth retardation, Teenage pregnancy

---

Acquired subglottic cysts in the low-birth-weight infant: characteristics, treatment, and outcome

Article Abstract:

Cysts beneath the larynx may be a complication of endotracheal intubation in low-birth-weight infants. Endotracheal intubation, or inserting a tube down the trachea, is often used in intensive care of low-birth-weight infants. Among 174 premature infants who had a flexible bronchoscopy examination of their airway, 21 had symptoms of airway injury and 153 were examined routinely after a week or more of endotracheal intubation. Two of the 21 infants with symptoms and 11 of the 153 infants examined routinely were diagnosed with tracheal cysts. Symptoms associated with cysts included harsh breathing, hoarseness, and apnea, or episodes of breathing cessation. The infants who developed cysts were more likely to be extremely premature with very low birth weights than infants with no cysts. Infants with cysts also had longer durations of intubation. life-saving.

Complications and side effects, Cysts, Trachea, Bronchoscopy, Trachea intubation

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: An outbreak of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in northern Quebec. Agent B: genetics and litogens
• Abstracts: The use of hygiene, cohorting and antimicrobial therapy to control an outbreak of shigellosis. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy during corticotropin therapy for infantile spasms: a clinical and echocardiographic study
• Abstracts: Psychosocial predictors of maternal and infant health among adolescent mothers
• Abstracts: Prevalence and impact of chronic illness among adolescents. Infection after farm machine-related injuries in children and adolescents

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.