Effect of Probiotics on Preventing Gestational Diabetes among High-Risk Pre-Diabetic Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of probiotics on preventing gestational diabetes in high-risk pregnant pre-diabetic women. 

Study design: A randomized controlled trial

Place and Duration: This study was conducted at Sandeman Provincial hospital Quetta Pakistan from January 2020 to February 2021.

Methodology: In this double-blind study, 249 pregnant high-risk pre-diabetic women were included. This study comprised of 3 groups; control, intervention, and placebo. One probiotic capsule was additionally prescribed from 14 to 16 weeks of pregnancy for 12 weeks in the intervention group. In the placebo group, a placebo was prescribed for the same duration. After the prescribed duration, a glucose tolerance test was performed. Demographic and pregnancy-related data, results of diabetes tests during pregnancy, and drug history were collected. SPSS software version 23 was used to analyze the data. Chi-square test, Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis, one-way ANOVA analysis, and Mann-Whitney U test were performed on the data. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: A total of 26 % of participants in the intervention group, 60 % in the placebo group, and 67 % in the control group were diagnosed with gestational diabetes, with a p-value less than 0.001. These results showed that the participants in the intervention group had significantly fewer gestational diabetes cases as compared to placebo and control group participants. The Chi-square test for the comparison of diabetes between the intervention group and placebo group showed a significant difference, with a p-value less than 0.001. The Chi-square test for the comparison of diabetes between the intervention group and control group also showed a significant difference, with a p-value less than 0.001. The prevalence of gestational diabetes was significantly less in the interventional group as compared to the placebo and control group, with the p-value less than 0.05.

Conclusion: This study concluded that the usage of probiotics decreases gestational diabetes in high-risk pre-diabetic pregnant women.