Do probiotics effectively ameliorate glycemic control during gestational diabetes? A systematic review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#blood-glucose #cholesterol #diabetes-gestational #dietary-supplements #female

Do probiotics effectively ameliorate glycemic control during gestational diabetes? A systematic review

Dallanora et al., 2018 | Arch Gynecol Obstet | Systematic Review

Citation

Dallanora Suelen, Medeiros de Souza Yasmin, ... Hack Mendes Roberta. Do probiotics effectively ameliorate glycemic control during gestational diabetes? A systematic review. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2018-Sep;298(3):477-485. doi:10.1007/s00404-018-4809-2

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. The aim of this work was to systematically review all studies in which probiotic supplements were used during pregnancy and analyse the effects on GDM. METHODS: The data were collected using the medical subheading (MeSH) terms: ("diabetes, gestational"[MeSH Terms] OR ("diabetes"[All Fields] AND "gestational"[All Fields]) OR "gestational diabetes"[All Fields] OR ("gestational"[All Fields] AND "diabetes"[All Fields])) AND ("probiotics"[MeSH Terms] OR "probiotics"[All Fields]). The search included original articles written in English/Portuguese and published between 2012 and 2017. RESULTS: Of the 31 articles identified, seven met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. In these studies, the sample size ranged from 60 to 373 women with GDM, which was between 24 and 40 weeks of pregnancy (second and third trimesters). Results demonstrated that probiotics used during pregnancy in women with GDM may improve glycaemic control and reduce VDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and inflammatory markers. CONCLUSIONS: The present systematic review highlights the importance of probiotics for glycemic control and decrease of inflammatory markers in GDM. Further long-term studies should be conducted to elucidate this interaction.

Key Findings

Of the 31 articles identified, seven met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. In these studies, the sample size ranged from 60 to 373 women with GDM, which was between 24 and 40 weeks of pregnancy (second and third trimesters). Results demonstrated that probiotics used during pregnancy in women with GDM may improve glycaemic control and reduce VDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and inflammatory markers.

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Blood Glucose
  • Cholesterol
  • Diabetes, Gestational
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Third
  • Probiotics

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: probiotics

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09