Pregnancy thiamine and riboflavin intake and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundThiamine and riboflavin deficiencies exist to varying degrees worldwide, especially in developing countries. Evidence regarding the association between thiamine and riboflavin intake and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is scarce. ObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate the association of thiamine and riboflavin intake during pregnancy, including dietary source and supplementation, with GDM risk in a prospective cohort study. MethodsWe included 3036 pregnant women (923 in the first trimester and 2113 in the second trimester) from the Tongji Birth Cohort. A validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and a lifestyle questionnaire were used to assess thiamine and riboflavin intake from dietary source and supplementation, respectively. GDM was diagnosed using the 75 g 2-h oral glucose tolerance test at 24–28 weeks of gestation. A modified Poisson regression or logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between thiamine and riboflavin intake and GDM risk. ResultsDietary intake of thiamine and riboflavin was at low levels during pregnancy. In the fully adjusted model, compared with participants in quartile 1 (Q1), those who had more total thiamine and riboflavin intake had a lower risk of GDM during the first trimester [thiamine: Q2: RR: 0.58 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.98); Q3: RR: 0.45 (95% CI: 0.24, 0.84); Q4: RR: 0.35 (95% CI: 0.17, 0.72), P for trend = 0.002; riboflavin: Q2: RR: 0.63 (95% CI: 0.37, 1.09); Q3: RR: 0.45 (95% CI: 0.24, 0.87); Q4: RR: 0.39 (95% CI: 0.19, 0.79), P for trend = 0.006]. This association was also observed during the second trimester. Similar results were observed for the association between thiamine and riboflavin supplement use but not dietary intake and GDM risk. ConclusionsHigher intake of thiamine and riboflavin during pregnancy is associated with a lower incidence of GDM.This trial was registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn as ChiCTR1800016908.