Effect of a macronutrient preload on blood glucose level and pregnancy outcome in gestational diabetes

• Gestational diabetes (GDM) is associated with risks for both the mother and the child.
• A food composition, macro-nutrient preload, was given half an hour before each meal.
• Thirty-three GDM patients were given macro-nutrient preload and 33 a control comparator.
• A two-month macro-nutrient preload treatment of GDM improved post-prandial glycemia.
• Macro-nutrient preload treatment is of a potential value for future management of GDM.

AimTo investigate the effect of a macro-nutrient preload (Inzone Vitality) on blood glucose levels and pregnancy outcomes of gestational diabetes. The preload method involves the ingestion of a smaller amount of a macronutrient composition half an hour before regular meals. The hypothesis was that preload treatment will reduce postprandial glycemia in gestational diabetes.MethodsSixty-six diagnosed cases of gestational diabetes were randomly selected from gynecology and obstetrics outpatient clinic at Xinqiao Hospital in Chongqing. The patients were divided into an intervention group (33 cases) and a control group (33 cases), according to odd–even numbers of the random cases. The intervention group was treated with a macro-nutrient preload given 0.5 h before regular meals and the control group was given a comparative treatment consisting of a milk powder with similar energy content. The two groups were studied until delivery and the measured parameters included fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2h-PBG), delivery mode and neonatal birth weight.ResultsThe two groups showed no differences in FBG or 2h-PBG before the nutritional intervention. FBG and 2h-PBG after intervention and before delivery were significantly lower in the intervention group, treated with the macro nutrient preload compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Changes in FBG and 2h-PBG before and after the intervention were investigated and the difference in the intervention group was significantly greater than corresponding values in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The neonatal birth weight and delivery mode was not significantly different (P > 0.05).ConclusionA macro-nutrient composition, used as a preload, is effective in controlling FBG and PBG of gestational diabetes.