The Role of Probiotics in Preventing Gestational Diabetes: An Umbrella Review

TL;DR

This umbrella review suggests that probiotics may help reduce the risk of gestational diabetes, especially in younger, lower-BMI women, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.

Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive synthesis of evidence on the role of probiotics in preventing gestational diabetes.

Findings

Probiotic supplementation was associated with a 33% reduction in gestational diabetes (RR 0.67).

Women with BMI < 26 and age < 30 showed a 42% reduced risk of GD with probiotics (RR 0.58).

Combining probiotics with healthy lifestyle behaviors showed stronger protective effects against GD.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Gestational diabetes (GD), which affects approximately 15% of pregnancies worldwide, poses significant risks to both maternal and fetal health, underscoring the need for effective prevention and management strategies. This umbrella review aims to evaluate the role of probiotics in the prevention of GD. Methods: The review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Manual for Evidence Synthesis. A comprehensive literature search was performed in November 2024 across four databases: PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, and CINAHL. A total of 307 articles were identified, of which 6 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final synthesis. Results: Probiotic supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of GD in selected populations, particularly in women with a body mass index (BMI) < 26, age < 30 years [Relative Risk (RR): 0.58], and p < 0.05 in the other studies included, alongside improvements in several metabolic parameters. However, consistent benefits on maternal or neonatal complications were not observed but a 33% reduction in GD was confirmed (RR 0.67). The combination of probiotics with healthy lifestyle behaviors appeared to exert a stronger protective effect against GD and its potential complications. Conclusions: This umbrella review suggests that probiotics—particularly multi-strain formulations—may have a potential role in reducing the risk of GD in certain populations. However, the findings across the included studies are inconsistent and sometimes conflicting. While probiotics are generally considered safe and have recognized benefits for metabolic health, their efficacy as an adjunct intervention for GD prevention remains not fully clear. Further well-designed research is needed to clarify which specific probiotic interventions may be effective and to better guide clinical practice.

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