Effect of Mediterranean diet for pregnant women: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: Mediterranean diet might be a promising approach to prevent gestational diabetes mellitus. However, the results remained controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the effect of Mediterranean diet on gestational diabetes mellitus.

METHODS: PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of Mediterranean diet on gestational diabetes mellitus were included. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effect model.

RESULTS: Four RCTs involving 2277 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control intervention for pregnant women, Mediterranean diet was associated with reduced incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (OR = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.52 to 0.82; p  = .0003) and gestational weight gain (SMD = -0.15; 95% CI = -0.26 to -0.05; p  = .004), but had no obvious effect on preeclampsia (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 0.52-2.11; p  = .91), preterm delivery (OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.20-1.55; p  = .26) or neonatal unit (OR = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.43-1.19; p  = .19).

CONCLUSIONS: Mediterranean diet may be effective to prevent gestational diabetes mellitus.