Objectives: To assess the effects of probiotic supplements on glycemic control and metabolic parameters in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome was glycemic control, i.e., serum glucose and insulin levels. Secondary outcomes were maternal weight gain, neonatal birth weight, and lipid parameters. Weighted mean difference (WMD) was used. Cochrane’s Q test of heterogeneity and I² were used to assess heterogeneity. Results: Of the 843 papers retrieved, 14 (n = 854 women) met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. When compared with placebo, women receiving probiotic supplements had significantly lower mean fasting serum glucose, fasting serum insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides, total cholesterol, and VLDL levels. Decreased neonatal birth weight was witnessed in supplements containing Lactobacillus acidophilus. Conclusion: Probiotic supplements may improve glycemic control and lipid profile and reduce neonatal birth weight in women with GDM.

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between gestational diabetes mellitus and infections during pregnancy. We included cross-sectional, case-control, cohort studies and clinical trials, evaluating the frequency of infections in women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus. A search was conducted in Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science electronic databases and by manually searching references, until 23 March 2022, resulting in 16 studies being selected for review, with 111,649 women in the gestational diabetes mellitus group, and 1,429,659 in the controls. Cochrane’s Q test of heterogeneity and I² were used to assess heterogeneity. Pooled odds ratio (OR) was calculated. Funnel plots and Egger test were used for assessment of publication bias. The results showed a significant association between gestational diabetes mellitus and infections (pooled-OR 1.3 95% CI [1.2–1.5]). Sub-analyses showed a significant association for urinary tract infections (pooled-OR of 1.2 95% CI [1.1–1.3]), bacterial infections (pooled-OR were 1.2 95% CI [1.1–1.4]), and SARS-CoV-2 (pooled-OR 1.5 95% CI [1.2–2.0]) but not to gingivitis or vaginal candidiasis. The results underscore the significance of acknowledging gestational diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for infections.

We investigated the association between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and the rate of peripartum infections (chorioamnionitis and/or endometritis). A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data collected between January 2014 and July 2021. The study group comprised women with GDM, while the control group consisted of women without GDM, matched for age ≥ 35 Y, primiparity, pre-gestational body mass index (BMI), cesarean and vacuum deliveries, and preterm deliveries. The primary outcome was the rate of peripartum infections. Data from 1683 GDM women and 1683 matched controls were analyzed. No significant difference was observed in the rate of peripartum infections between the GDM and control groups (26 (1.5%) versus 14 (0.8%), respectively; p = 0.056), nor in the rates of other infections. After controlling for epidural analgesia rate, BMI, age, and delivery week in multivariable logistic regression, the rate of peripartum infections remained statistically insignificant between the GDM group and controls (OR 1.8, 95% CI 0.9–3.4). The main pathogens isolated in cases of peripartum infections were similar in both groups, primarily consisting of Escherichia coli and Group B Streptococcus. No difference in the rate of study outcomes was observed when vaginal and cesarean deliveries were analyzed separately. Altogether, GDM was not associated with an increased risk for peripartum infections.