Effect of Probiotics on Gestational Diabetes

A randomized placebo-controlled trial published in the British Journal of Nutrition examined the effect of probiotics on gestational diabetes.

The trial compared 212 pregnant women between 14 and 16 weeks of gestation who received a lactobacillus probiotic with 211 who did not.

Patients receiving the probiotic had a lower prevalence of gestational diabetes, including women with a previous history. There was also an absence of serious maternal or post-birth adverse events.

The authors stated probiotics may be an inexpensive and safe intervention to combat the prevalence of gestational diabetes.