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Cited by 3Gestational Diabetes Research and ManagementVitamin D Research StudiesPregnancy and Medication Impact

Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Glycemic Control, Insulin Sensitivity, and Pregnancy Outcomes in Gestational Diabetes Patients Undergoing Dietary Therapy

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Yu, Shiwen, Yu, Xiaolin, Li, Furong·2025·Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
DOI 10.1186/s41043-025-00969-1PMC PMC12160425
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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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  • Emerging clinical evidence indicates that supplementation with vitamin D can improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in women with GDM, likely by modulating insulin signaling pathways via the VDR and reducing inflammation.

    “Emerging clinical evidence indicates that supplementation with vitamin D can improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in women with GDM, likely by modulating insulin signaling pathways via the VDR and reducing inflammation [149].”

    From Maternal Overnutrition and Fetal Programming: Long-Term Metabolic, Cognitive, and Epigenetic Consequences (2026) · cites this paper as [149]

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Yu, S., Yu, X., & Li, F.
Affiliations
Wuxi People's Hospital (CN)
Corresponding author
Li, Furong
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2025-06-12
Volume
44
Issue
1
Pages
194-194
ISSN
  • 1606-0997 (ISSN-L)
  • 2072-1315
DOI
10.1186/s41043-025-00969-1
PMC
PMC12160425
OpenAlex
W4411250091
Cited by
3
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1
FWCI
3.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Health Population and Nutrition (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Pregnancy and Medication Impact
Keywords
gestational diabetes mellitus, glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, HOMA-IR, dietary therapy, pregnancy outcomes, neonatal outcomes, gestational hypertension, fetal distress, postpartum hemorrhage, oxidative stress, inflammation, HbA1c
MeSH terms
Glycemic Control, Adult, Blood Glucose, Female, Glycated Hemoglobin, Humans, Insulin Resistance, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Outcome, Retrospective Studies, Vitamin D, Diabetes, Gestational, Dietary Supplements, Propensity Score

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