Effect of Probiotics on Plasma Glucose Level in obese patients on risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: A range of physiologic, metabolic, and gut microbial changes occur during pregnancy. Pregnancy is linked to insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, which increase the risk of gestational diabetes. Probiotics are being extensively examined for their potential benefits in the treatment of a variety of disorders. Moreover, there is no local study connected before on the supplementation of probiotics in such cases to find the improvement in glycemic control level and prevention of gestational diabetes (GDM), so this study was planned.
 Methods: This one-year randomised control trial was conducted at PIMS Islamabad, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. After receiving informed permission, 126 patients were enrolled in the trial. In group A, patients were given a standard diet plan along with a probiotic sachet daily from 20 weeks of pregnancy until 26 weeks. In group B, patients were given a standard diet plan along with routine vitamins daily for the same period. Patients were followed-up in OPD up to 26 to 28 weeks, and OGTT was done, then GDM was labelled if OGTT deranged.
 Results: At the 28th week, in the probiotic group, the mean fasting blood glucose was 78.84±18.42 mg/dl, and in the control group, it was 81.25±22.49 mg/dl (p-value = 0.515). At the 28th week in the probiotic group, the GDM was noted in 12 (19%) patients, and in the control group, it was in 22 (34.9%) patients (p-value = 0.045).
 Conclusion: From this study, we may conclude that there is an effective role of probiotic supplementation in the prevention of GDM among high-risk obese pregnant women.