Ramadan fasting among pregnant women with diabetes: An international neglected phenomenon, Dr Nagat Eltoum
Dr Nagat Eltoum
King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences
Saudi Arabia
Purpose: To explore the literature looking for European or international guidelines about the management of diabetes during Ramadan fasting among pregnant women.
Design/Methods: A systematic database search using Scopus, PubMed, Medline and Web of Science, using key words'Ramadan fasting', 'diabetes' and 'pregnancy' was conducted in November 2015.
Findings: There are only two studies conducted in the United Kingdom (UK) and two studies in Islamic majority countries, mainly in Malaysia with a total sample size of 348 and 67, respectively.
Originality/value: Despite the fact that Muslim pregnant women are exempted from fasting during Ramadan, it is documented that some pregnant women with diabetes choose to fast. This review was conducted to assist in developing sustainable evidenced based care for this group of women. The findings refl ected an urgent need for more studies to investigate the prevalence of Ramadan fasting among diabetic women, and its eff ect on maternal and foetal wellbeing.
Keywords: Ramadan fasting; diabetes; pregnancy.
Citation:Eltoum, N. (2016):Ramadan fasting among pregnant women with diabetes: An international neglected phenomenon. In Ahmed, A. (Ed.): Europe at a Crossroads and the Impact of Globalization, Vol. 14, pp. 299-307.
