Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and a time when Muslims across the world fast from dawn until sunset. Fasting then is one of the five pillars of Islam, although pregnant women are exempt if it poses a risk to their health. However, some Muslim women still choose to fast, despite the health implications.
A study by scientists in the United States, based on census data from the US, Iraq and Uganda, found that pregnant women who fast are likely to have smaller babies who are more prone to learning disabilities in adulthood, the BBC reported. The researchers from Columbia University found that this trend was most marked if mothers-to-be fasted early on in their pregnancy and during the summer when longer days meant they went more hours without food.
Religious leaders say pregnant women shouldn't attempt to fast as it puts the health of their unborn baby at risk.
