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Vitamin D and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

  • Diabetes and Pregnancy (CJ Homko, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) complicates 7 %–14 % of pregnancies in the United States. Vitamin D deficiency also is common in pregnancy. Emerging evidence suggests that Vitamin D administration can improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, but whether vitamin D supplementation can prevent GDM is unknown. Observational studies provide conflicting evidence as to whether low serum 25-hydroxyvitmain D (25(OH)D) levels are associated with GDM. Two recent systematic reviews concluded that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher risk of GDM. However, these reviews are limited by the observational and diverse nature of the included studies. Of greatest concern is the inability to understand how important confounding variables such as race/ethnicity and adiposity might affect the association. Randomized controlled trial data remain limited but are critical to understanding whether supplementation with vitamin D beyond what is contained in routine prenatal vitamins will prevent GDM or improve glucose tolerance for women with GDM.

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Abbreviations

25(OH)D:

25-hydroxyvitamin D

ACOG:

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

DBP:

Vitamin D binding protein

GDM:

Gestational diabetes mellitus

HOMA-IR:

Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance

OGTT:

Oral glucose tolerance test

RCT:

Randomized controlled trial

VDR:

Vitamin D receptor

VDRE:

Vitamin D responsive elements

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Burris’s work is supported by the Klarman Family Foundation Scholars Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and by NIH/NIEHS K23 ES022242.

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Conflict of Interest

Heather H. Burris declares that she has no conflict of interest. Carlos A. Camargo, Jr. declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Correspondence to Heather H. Burris.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Diabetes and Pregnancy

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Burris, H.H., Camargo, C.A. Vitamin D and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Curr Diab Rep 14, 451 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-013-0451-3

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