Effect of vitamin D supplementation on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes patients undergoing dietary therapy

Abstract Objective This study aims to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and pregnancy outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) undergoing dietary therapy. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study that included 98 pati...

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Main Authors: Shiwen Yu, Xiaolin Yu, Furong Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00969-1
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author Shiwen Yu
Xiaolin Yu
Furong Li
author_facet Shiwen Yu
Xiaolin Yu
Furong Li
author_sort Shiwen Yu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective This study aims to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and pregnancy outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) undergoing dietary therapy. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study that included 98 patients diagnosed with GDM according to the IADPSG criteria. Patients were divided into two groups based on vitamin D supplementation: the Vitamin D group (n = 49) and the Control group (n = 49). The Vitamin D group received 400 IU of vitamin D daily until delivery. All patients followed a standardized dietary management plan. The primary outcome was the time to achieve glycemic control. Secondary outcomes included changes in HbA1c, HOMA-IR, LDL-C, hs-CRP, MDA, and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to adjust for baseline differences, and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 28.0. Results A total of 98 patients (49 per group) were included after propensity score matching (PSM), with similar baseline characteristics between groups (all P > 0.05), except for higher gestational edema scores in the control group (P = 0.001). The Vitamin D group achieved glycemic control faster than the control group (adjusted HR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.50–3.52, P < 0.001) and required less insulin (β = -0.11 U/kg/day, 95% CI -0.14 to -0.08, P < 0.001). Significant improvements were observed in key metabolic and inflammatory markers, including HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial glucose, HOMA-IR, LDL-C, hs-CRP, MDA, BMI, and gestational edema score (all P < 0.001), with no change in mid-upper arm circumference. The Vitamin D group also had significantly lower risks of pregnancy complications, adverse outcomes, and neonatal issues (P < 0.05), including reduced rates of pregnancy-induced hypertension, fetal distress, and postpartum hemorrhage. Conclusion Vitamin D supplementation significantly improves glycemic control, enhances insulin sensitivity, and positively impacts pregnancy outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes. Vitamin D supplementation should be considered in the management of GDM.
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spelling doaj-art-7df9efa61520429687ea01d6f572cc012025-08-20T03:45:11ZengBMCJournal of Health, Population and Nutrition2072-13152025-06-014411910.1186/s41043-025-00969-1Effect of vitamin D supplementation on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes patients undergoing dietary therapyShiwen Yu0Xiaolin Yu1Furong Li2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wuxi People’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi Medical Center of Nanjing Medical UniversityGeneral Practice, Wuxi Liangxi Area North Street Community Health CentreDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wuxi People’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi Medical Center of Nanjing Medical UniversityAbstract Objective This study aims to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and pregnancy outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) undergoing dietary therapy. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study that included 98 patients diagnosed with GDM according to the IADPSG criteria. Patients were divided into two groups based on vitamin D supplementation: the Vitamin D group (n = 49) and the Control group (n = 49). The Vitamin D group received 400 IU of vitamin D daily until delivery. All patients followed a standardized dietary management plan. The primary outcome was the time to achieve glycemic control. Secondary outcomes included changes in HbA1c, HOMA-IR, LDL-C, hs-CRP, MDA, and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to adjust for baseline differences, and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 28.0. Results A total of 98 patients (49 per group) were included after propensity score matching (PSM), with similar baseline characteristics between groups (all P > 0.05), except for higher gestational edema scores in the control group (P = 0.001). The Vitamin D group achieved glycemic control faster than the control group (adjusted HR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.50–3.52, P < 0.001) and required less insulin (β = -0.11 U/kg/day, 95% CI -0.14 to -0.08, P < 0.001). Significant improvements were observed in key metabolic and inflammatory markers, including HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial glucose, HOMA-IR, LDL-C, hs-CRP, MDA, BMI, and gestational edema score (all P < 0.001), with no change in mid-upper arm circumference. The Vitamin D group also had significantly lower risks of pregnancy complications, adverse outcomes, and neonatal issues (P < 0.05), including reduced rates of pregnancy-induced hypertension, fetal distress, and postpartum hemorrhage. Conclusion Vitamin D supplementation significantly improves glycemic control, enhances insulin sensitivity, and positively impacts pregnancy outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes. Vitamin D supplementation should be considered in the management of GDM.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00969-1Gestational diabetes mellitusDietary managementVitamin DBMIBlood glucoseOxidative stress
spellingShingle Shiwen Yu
Xiaolin Yu
Furong Li
Effect of vitamin D supplementation on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes patients undergoing dietary therapy
Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
Gestational diabetes mellitus
Dietary management
Vitamin D
BMI
Blood glucose
Oxidative stress
title Effect of vitamin D supplementation on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes patients undergoing dietary therapy
title_full Effect of vitamin D supplementation on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes patients undergoing dietary therapy
title_fullStr Effect of vitamin D supplementation on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes patients undergoing dietary therapy
title_full_unstemmed Effect of vitamin D supplementation on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes patients undergoing dietary therapy
title_short Effect of vitamin D supplementation on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes patients undergoing dietary therapy
title_sort effect of vitamin d supplementation on glycemic control insulin sensitivity and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes patients undergoing dietary therapy
topic Gestational diabetes mellitus
Dietary management
Vitamin D
BMI
Blood glucose
Oxidative stress
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00969-1
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AT furongli effectofvitamindsupplementationonglycemiccontrolinsulinsensitivityandpregnancyoutcomesingestationaldiabetespatientsundergoingdietarytherapy