Objective: The effect of magnesium supplementation on glycemic status in women with gestational diabetes remains controversial and this meta-analysis aims to explore the efficacy of magnesium supplementation for gestational diabetes.
Methods: We have searched PubMed, Excerpta Medica database, Web of science, Elton B. Stephens. Company, and Cochrane library databases. The meta-analysis included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of magnesium supplementation for gestational diabetes and was performed using the random-effect model.
Results: Four RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with placebo in gestational diabetes, magnesium supplementation was associated with significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose (standard mean difference [SMD] = -0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.28 to -0.70; p < .00001), serum insulin (SMD = -0.75; 95% CI = -1.24 to -0.26; p = .003), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (SMD = -0.74; 95% CI = -1.10 to -0.39; p < .0001) and increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (SMD = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.12 to 0.82; p = .008). In addition, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (SMD = -0.39; 95% CI = -0.73 to -0.04; p = .03) and total cholesterol (SMD = -0.62; 95% CI = -0.97 to -0.27; p = .0005) were also obviously decreased in the magnesium group than those in the control group.
Conclusion: Magnesium supplementation benefits glycemic control for gestational diabetes.
Keywords: Gestational diabetes; glycemic status; magnesium supplementation; randomized controlled trials.