Maternal and neonatal outcomes after energy-restricted diet for women with gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects 1% to 14% of pregnant women annually worldwide and is one of the most common pregnancy complications. OBJECTIVE: We reviewed studies on maternal and neonatal outcomes after dietary managements for women with GDM comparing caloric-restricted (intervention group) and unrestricted diets (control group). METHODS: We systematically searched online databases including Medline, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL), ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar from inception until September 2019. We performed a meta-analysis with random-effects model and reported pooled risk ratios (RRs) or pooled mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: We analyzed data from 6 randomized controlled trials including 1300 participants, most of them with high bias risks. We found that the women in the intervention group achieved slightly better glycemic control (pooled MD, -0.72 mg/dL; 95% CI, -7.10 to 5.66 mg/dL) and overall pregnancy outcomes (except neonatal hypoglycemia) than the women in the control group. CONCLUSION: An energy-restricted diet does not seem superior to the usual/standard GDM diet based on maternal or neonatal outcomes. But, clinical recommendations cannot be made as the evidence is inconclusive.