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Effects of maternal folate and vitamin B12 on gestational diabetes mellitus: a dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 76, pages 1502–1512 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

To comprehensively estimate the association of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk with maternal red blood cell (RBC) folate, plasma/serum folate, dose and duration of folic acid supplement (FAS) intake and vitamin B12 separately. PubMed, Web of science, CNKI, and Wanfang Databases were searched through March 26, 2021. We synthesized data using random-effects model meta-analysis in Stata 12.0. Sensitivity, subgroup and dose-response analyses were also performed. The certainty of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE). Twenty six datasets from thirteen eligible observational studies were included in the study. We found a significant increase of GDM risk with the highest versus lowest category of RBC folate (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.48–2.61, I2 = 0.0%, moderate-certainty evidence) and plasma/serum folate (OR = 1.23, 1.02–1.48, I2 = 57.8%, low-certainty evidence). The dose-response analysis revealed that each 200 ng/ml increase in RBC folate was significantly associated with 8% higher GDM risk. No significant association between dose of FAS intake and GDM risk was found with very low cetainty. Meanwhile, longer duration (≥3 months) of FAS conferred 56% significant higher GDM risk (OR = 1.56, 1.02–2.39, very low certainty evidence). No significant association of GDM risk with highest plasma/serum B12 was observed compared to lowest B12 (OR = 0.77, 0.58–1.02, very low-certainty evidence). Moderate-certainty evidence suggests that higher RBC folate appears to significantly increase GDM risk. Higher plasma/serum folate may increase GDM risk but with low certainty. Further well-designed trials or prospective studies are needed.

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Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Professor Ling Wang and Dr. Songyuan Deng for the valuable suggestions on the revision of the article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrient, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, No.195, Tongbai Road, Zhengzhou, China

    Nana Li

  2. Department of Big Data Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Central China Fuwai Hospital, Central China Fuwai Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China

    Jicheng Jiang

  3. Hospital Infection Management Section, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China

    Leilei Guo

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NL developed the idea and study design; NL and JJ carried out the literature searching, data-extracting and critical appraisal; NL, JJ and LG performed the statistical analyses and interpretation; NL drafted and edited the manuscript; JJ and LG gave advice on extensive revision. All authors have read and approved the submission of final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Nana Li.

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Li, N., Jiang, J. & Guo, L. Effects of maternal folate and vitamin B12 on gestational diabetes mellitus: a dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies. Eur J Clin Nutr 76, 1502–1512 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-022-01076-8

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