Introduction: The efficacy of Myo-inositol on gestational diabetes mellitus remains debatable. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize evidence from published studies on the efficacy and the impact of Inositol for cutting the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnant women.
Materials and Methods: We followed the standard methods of the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews for interventions and the PRISMA statement guidelines 2020 when conducting and reporting this study. A computer literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials conducted from inception until January 2022. We selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of Inositol on the gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnant women, and all relevant outcomes were pooled in the meta-analysis using Review Manager Software.
Results: Seven RCTs were included in our study with only six RCTs included in the meta-analysis. The pooled risk ratio suggested that myo-inositol supplementation is associated with significantly reduced incidence of gestational diabetes [RR=0.67, CI 95% (0.40, 1.12)]. However, there was no significant difference between Inositol and control in gestational age at delivery (days) and cesarean delivery percentage as following respectively; [MD=1.11, CI 95%, (-0.10, 2.31), P=0.07], and [RR=0.93, CI 95%, (0.81, 1.07), P=0.33]. Also, Inositol decreased the incidence of gestational hypertension and preterm delivery as following; [RR=0.49, CI 95%, (0.29, 0.82), P=0.006], and [RR=0.48, CI 95%, (0.31, 0.75), P=0.001]. There was no significant difference between Inositol and control in terms of the incidence of macrosomia, NICU admission, shoulder dystocia, neonatal hypoglycemia, and birth weight as following respectively; [RR=0.91, CI 95%, (0.57, 1.45), P=0.68], [RR=0.45, CI 95%, (0.17, 1.22), P=0.12], [RR=0.63, CI 95%, (0.147, 2.72), P=0.538], [RR=0.916, CI 95%, (0.539, 1.6), P=0.747], and [MD=3.49, CI 95%, (-51.11, 58.09), P=0.9].
Conclusion: Myo-inositol supplementation has some ability to reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, and preterm delivery in pregnant women.