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Safety and metabolic impact of Ramadan fasting in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

  • Amany El-Hawary , Nanees Salem EMAIL logo , Ashraf Elsharkawy , Abdelhameed Metwali , Alaa Wafa , Nehad Chalaby , Abelhady El-Gilany , Megahed Abo-Elmagd and Magdy El-Ziny
Published/Copyright: February 27, 2016

Abstract

Background: Annually, many children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) insist on fasting for Ramadan despite being exempted and despite knowing all the risks. We aimed to assess the safety and metabolic impact of Ramadan fasting in children with T1DM using different insulin regimens.

Methods: Children with T1DM who choose to fast during Ramadan 1434/2013 (29 days) were recruited 3 months before Ramadan. They received pre-Ramadan intensive education. Three insulin regimens were included; Regimen-I (regular insulin/NPH); Regimen-II (regular insulin/insulin glargine) and Regimen-III (premixed insulin). Changes in weight, insulin dose, HbA1c, fructosamine and lipid profile were evaluated.

Results: Out of total 53 patients (24 male), 28 patients (52.8%) completed Ramadan fasting (fasting group). The remaining 25 patients were included in (broke-fasting group). Positive correlation between fructosamine changes and number of days fasted during Ramadan. Significant decrease in post-Ramadan fructosamine (<0.001) and increase in post-Ramadan total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were detected within fasting, broke-fasting and insulin regimen groups. Significant higher blood glucose at three time points, pre-Iftar, pre-Sohur and midday in Regimen-I compared to Regimen-II and Regimen-III (p=0.004).

Conclusions: Fasting during Ramadan is feasible and is associated with significant improvement in fructosamine level in children with T1DM using different insulin regimens. Mandatory consideration to the quality and quantity of food offered to patients with T1DM during Ramadan to guard against adverse changes in lipid profile.


Corresponding author: Nanees Salem, MD, Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Pediatrics Department, Mansoura University, 35516, Mansoura, Egypt, Phone: +201007553665, Fax: +2050 223 4092, E-mail:

Acknowledgments:

We would like to thank the children and adolescents with T1DM and their parents for taking part in the present study.

Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.

Research funding: None declared.

Employment or leadership: None declared.

Honorarium: None declared.

Competing interests: The funding organization(s) played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the report for publication.

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Received: 2015-7-1
Accepted: 2016-1-4
Published Online: 2016-2-27
Published in Print: 2016-5-1

©2016 by De Gruyter

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