Myo-inositol may prevent gestational diabetes onset in overweight women: a randomized, controlled trial

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2016 Oct;29(19):3234-7. doi: 10.3109/14767058.2015.1121478. Epub 2015 Dec 23.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether myo-inositol supplementation may reduce gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) rate in overweight women.

Methods: In an open-label, randomized trial, myo-inositol (2 g plus 200 μg folic acid twice a day) or placebo (200 μg folic acid twice a day) was administered from the first trimester to delivery in pregnant overweight non-obese women (pre-pregnancy body mass index ≥ 25 and < 30 kg/m(2)). The primary outcome was the incidence of GDM.

Results: From January 2012 to December 2014, 220 pregnant women were randomized at two Italian University hospitals, 110 to myo-inositol and 110 to placebo. The incidence of GDM was significantly lower in the myo-inositol group compared to the placebo group (11.6% versus 27.4%, respectively, p = 0.004). Myo-inositol treatment was associated with a 67% risk reduction of developing GDM (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.15-0.70).

Conclusions: Myo-inositol supplementation, administered since early pregnancy, reduces GDM incidence in overweight non-obese women.

Keywords: Body mass index; gestational diabetes; myo-inositol; obese; overweight.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose / analysis*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Diabetes, Gestational / prevention & control*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Inositol / therapeutic use*
  • Overweight*
  • Pregnancy
  • Vitamin B Complex / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Inositol