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Dietary Intervention in Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes; Protocol for the DiGest Randomised Controlled Trial

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Change log

Authors

Kusinski, Laura C. 
Murphy, Helen R. 
De Lucia Rolfe, Emanuella 
Oude Griep, Linda M.  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7697-7473

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) annually affects 35,000 pregnancies in the United Kingdom, causing suboptimal health outcomes to the mother and child. Obesity and excessive gestational weight gain are risk factors for GDM. The Institute of Medicine recommends weight targets for women that are overweight and obese, however, there are no clear guidelines for women with GDM. Observational data suggest that modest weight loss (0.6−2 kg) after 28 weeks may reduce risk of caesarean section, large-for-gestational-age (LGA), and maternal postnatal glycaemia. This protocol for a multicentre randomised double-blind controlled trial aims to identify if a fully controlled reduced energy diet in GDM pregnancy improves infant birthweight and reduces maternal weight gain (primary outcomes). A total of 500 women with GDM (National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2015 criteria) and body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 will be randomised to receive a standard (2000 kcal/day) or reduced energy (1200 kcal/day) diet box containing all meals and snacks from 28 weeks to delivery. Women and caregivers will be blinded to the allocations. Food diaries, continuous glucose monitoring, and anthropometry will measure dietary compliance, glucose levels, and weight changes. Women will receive standard antenatal GDM management (insulin/metformin) according to NICE guidelines. The secondary endpoints include caesarean section rates, LGA, and maternal postnatal glucose concentrations.

Description

Keywords

gestational diabetes, pregnancy, study protocol, randomised controlled trial, large-for-gestational age, diet, dietary intervention, maternal or gestational weight gain, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), neonatal outcomes, neonatal hypoglycaemia, neonatal growth, maternal obesity

Journal Title

Nutrients

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2072-6643

Volume Title

12

Publisher

MDPI
Sponsorship
Diabetes UK (17/0005712)