Periconceptional folate and gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#pregnancy #female #humans #diabetes-gestational #folic-acid

Periconceptional folate and gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Liu et al., 2022 | J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med | Meta Analysis

Citation

Liu Qingyun, Wei Shanshan, ... Wang Feng. Periconceptional folate and gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2022-Dec;35(25):6884-6893. doi:10.1080/14767058.2021.1929158

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between periconceptional folate exposure and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: Several electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biology Medicine (CBM), and Cochrane Library, were searched for all relevant cohort studies by January 2021. Studies on relationship between folate exposure (intake or status) and GDM risk were included. Quality of included studies was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate overall odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by Stata software (Stata Corp., College Station, TX). RESULTS: Ten cohort studies with 40,244 pregnancies were eligible for quantitative meta-analysis. Significant association was observed between folate exposure and risk of GDM (OR = 1.24, p=.036, 95% CI: 1.01-1.52). Subgroup analysis revealed that periconceptional folate exposure of population in China (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.09-1.67) but not in western countries, folate exposure during pregnancy (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.22-1.81) but not before pregnancy, and internal folate exposure (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.10-1.67), were significantly associated with increased GDM risk. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, periconceptional folate exposure is positively associated with GDM risk, especially the exposure during pregnancy and exposure in Chinese populations.

Key Findings

Ten cohort studies with 40,244 pregnancies were eligible for quantitative meta-analysis. Significant association was observed between folate exposure and risk of GDM (OR = 1.24, p=.036, 95% CI: 1.01-1.52). Subgroup analysis revealed that periconceptional folate exposure of population in China (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.09-1.67) but not in western countries, folate exposure during pregnancy (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.22-1.81) but not before pregnancy, and internal folate exposure (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.10-1

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

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

MeSH Terms

  • Pregnancy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Diabetes, Gestational
  • Folic Acid
  • Cohort Studies
  • Odds Ratio
  • China

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: folate

Provenance

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