Interventional effect of dietary fiber on blood glucose and pregnancy outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus.

To investigate the effect of dietary fiber on blood glucose and pregnancy outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). One hundred and twelve patients with GDM in the second trimester of pregnancy were recruited from Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. Patients were randomized into two groups with 56 in each group: the control group received basic nutrition support; while the dietary fiber group were given additional dietary fiber ( total dietary fiber per day) before meals in addition to basic nutrition support. Intervention for all cases lasted for 8 weeks. Fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose (2 h BG) were measured every week, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed at 42 d postpartum to evaluate the glycemic outcomes. Perinatal outcomes were recorded. The dietary fiber intervention markedly improved 2 h BG in patients with GDM and significantly elevated the glucose compliance rate from the 3rd to 8th week compared to the control group ( <0.05 or <0.01). OGTT 2 h glucose and the incidence of impaired glucose tolerance in the dietary fiber group were significantly lower than those in the control group, while the glucose compliance rate was significantly higher than that in the control group (all <0.01). Moreover, the rates of adverse perinatal outcomes, such as premature rupture of membranes and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia were declined in the dietary fiber group (<0.05 or <0.01). Dietary fiber intervention can ameliorate hyperglycemia in GDM patients, improve perinatal outcomes and reduce the incidence of postpartum impaired glucose tolerance.