Ramadan fasting in children

J Pak Med Assoc. 2019 May;69(5):745-746.

Abstract

Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory for all able bodiedadult Muslims. Though children are exempt from fasting, many children (and their parents) do observe the Ramadan fast. Responsible diabetes care professionals are expected to offer appropriate and pragmatic advice to children in their care. This communication describes the physiology of fasting in children, and assists physicians in sharing medically accurate information with them. Counselling regarding fasting must be made an integral part of diabetes care in Ramadan-observing families.

Keywords: Fasting, paediatric diabetes, patient centred care, Ramadan, responsible patient centred care..

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / therapy
  • Fasting / adverse effects
  • Fasting / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / etiology
  • Hypoglycemia / metabolism
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Islam*
  • Ketosis / etiology
  • Ketosis / metabolism