Probiotic Supplement for the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol. 2023 Feb;227(1):24-30. doi: 10.1055/a-1956-3927. Epub 2022 Nov 11.

Abstract

Background: Probiotic supplements may have some potential in preventing gestational diabetes, and this meta-analysis aims to explore the efficacy of probiotic supplements to prevent gestational diabetes.

Methods: PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched, and we included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of probiotic supplements on the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus. Meta-analysis was performed using the fixed-effect or random-effect model as appropriate.

Results: Six RCTs were finally included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control intervention in pregnant women, probiotic supplementation intervention showed no obvious impact on the incidence of gestational diabetes (OR=0.68; 95% CI=0.39 to 1.20; P=0.18), fasting plasma glucose (SMD=-0.05; 95% CI=-0.29 to 0.19; P=0.69), 2 h-OGTT (SMD=-0.07; 95% CI=-0.27 to 0.13; P=0.47), gestational age (SMD=0.04; 95% CI=-0.14 to 0.21; P=0.69) or preeclampsia (OR=1.22; 95% CI=0.83 to 1.78; P=0.31).

Conclusions: Probiotic supplementation was confirmed to have no benefits for the prevention of gestational diabetes.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes, Gestational* / epidemiology
  • Diabetes, Gestational* / prevention & control
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Probiotics* / therapeutic use
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic