"KETONURIA AND SERUM GLUCOSE OF FASTING PREGNANT WOMEN AT THE END OF A DAY IN RAMADAN"

Abstract

Moslem pregnant women are inclined to fast during the month of Ramadan. Ketonuria and hypoglycemia are harmful in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to find out whether clinical symptoms and/ or calorie deficiency of fasting pregnant women before Eftar (ending of the daily fast) can accurately predict ketonuria and hypoglycemia. In a descriptive study, 185 volunteer fasting pregnant women in Ramadan of 1999 were tested just before Eftar taking into account their clinical symptoms, intake of the previous 24 hours and testing their ketonuria and serum glucose. The positive predictive values of clinical symptoms before breaking the fast for ketonuria and hypoglycemia were 32% and 56%, respectively. The negative predictive values of clinical symptoms for ketonuria and hypoglycemia were 70% and 33%. The positive predictive values of over 500 Kcal deficiency in ketonuria and hypoglycemia were 33% and 57%. Severe calorie deficiency (more than 2000 Kcal) positively predicts ketonuria in 70% of cases and sufficient calorie intake (less than 500 Kcal deficiency) negatively predicts ketonuria in 93% of women. Clinical symptoms and calorie intake were not appropriate criteria for predicting ketonuria and hypoglycemia except in asymptomatic or severely calorie deficient cases or those with sufficient calorie intake whose ketonuria was predicted accurately.