The effect of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy on pregnancy complications: An umbrella meta-analysis

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

The effect of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy on pregnancy complications: An umbrella meta-analysis

Gao et al., 2025 | Medicine (Baltimore) | Meta Analysis

Citation

Gao Qian, Sun Yuanju, ... Li Pan. The effect of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy on pregnancy complications: An umbrella meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025-Dec-19;104(51):e46409. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000046409

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that probiotics might help prevent pregnancy complications, although recent meta-analyses have shown inconsistent results. To address this, an umbrella meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the impact of probiotics on pregnancy complications. METHODS: PubMed and Scopus databases were systematically searched for relevant meta-analyses, spanning from their inception to April 2024. The primary outcomes of interest were risk of gestational diabetes (GDM) and preeclampsia, and the secondary outcomes were gestational weight gain, gestational age (GA) at delivery, and cesarean section. A random-effects model was utilized to combine relative risks (RR) and standardized mean differences along with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) for categorical and continuous outcomes, respectively. RESULTS: In total, 27 studies involving 83,817 participants were incorporated. Probiotics supplementation notably decreased GDM risk (RR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.61-0.83) while raised the odds of preeclampsia (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.07-1.42) and increased GA (standardized mean differences = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.11). Subgroup analyses supported the preventive effect on GDM across various study characteristics. High-quality studies confirmed the increased risk of preeclampsia with probiotic use. Increased GA was observed in studies of moderate quality, with lower doses and Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains. Probiotics did not significantly impact cesarean section or gestational weight gain in both overall and subgroup analyses. CONCLUSION: Probiotics supplementation among pregnant women resulted in a notable reduction in the risk of GDM but an elevation in the risk of preeclampsia and an extension of GA.

Key Findings

In total, 27 studies involving 83,817 participants were incorporated. Probiotics supplementation notably decreased GDM risk (RR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.61-0.83) while raised the odds of preeclampsia (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.07-1.42) and increased GA (standardized mean differences = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.11). Subgroup analyses supported the preventive effect on GDM across various study characteristics. High-quality studies confirmed the increased risk of preeclampsia with probiotic use. Increased GA was

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population pregnant women
Sample Size 83817
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Probiotics
  • Female
  • Diabetes, Gestational
  • Pre-Eclampsia
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Gestational Age
  • Cesarean Section
  • Gestational Weight Gain

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance

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