Journal of International Obstetrics and Gynecology ›› 2026, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (2): 170-176.doi: 10.12280/gjfckx.20250615

• Obstetric Physiology & Obstetric Disease: Original Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Effect of Inositol Supplementation on Blood Glucose and Incidence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnant Women: A Meta-Analysis

LIU Xiao-xiao, NIU Yu-qin, DING Kun, CHEN Ya-xue()   

  1. Urumqi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Urumqi 830001, China
  • Received:2025-06-04 Published:2026-04-15 Online:2026-05-08
  • Contact: CHEN Ya-xue E-mail:1214117960@qq.com

Abstract:

Objective: To evaluate the preventive effect of inositol supplementation during pregnancy on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: A systematic search was conducted for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the inception of databases including PubMed, Embase, CNKI, SinoMed, Wanfang Data, and VIP up to May 29, 2025. A Meta-analysis was then performed on the related outcome measures. Results: A total of 10 RCTs involving 2 011 participants were included. Compared with the control group, the incidence of GDM in the intervention group was significantly reduced (OR=0.36, 95%CI: 0.18-0.70). Subgroup analysis indicated that 2 g inositol group significantly reduced the incidence of GDM (OR=0.41, 95%CI: 0.24-0.71), whereas no statistically significant difference was observed between the 4 g inositol group and the control group (P>0.05). Regarding oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results, compared with the control group, the intervention group demonstrated significantly lower fasting blood glucose (MD=-2.97, 95%CI: -4.24--1.70), 1-hour OGTT blood glucose (MD=-6.81, 95%CI: -13.41--0.22), and 2-hour OGTT blood glucose (MD=-6.31, 95%CI: -12.11--0.52). Furthermore, the intervention group had significantly lower fasting serum insulin (MD=-1.96, 95%CI: -3.29--0.63), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in mid-to-late pregnancy (MD=-0.44, 95%CI: -0.74--0.14), insulin usage rate (OR=0.24, 95%CI: 0.11-0.56), incidence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (OR=0.43, 95%CI: 0.25-0.74) and preterm birth rate (OR=0.47, 95%CI: 0.30-0.72) compared to the control group. However, no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in the incidence of macrosomia and neonatal hypoglycemia (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Inositol supplementation can reduce the risk of GDM, improve blood glucose levels and insulin resistance, and to some extent reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Supplementation with a low dose of inositol during pregnancy may represent a safe and feasible strategy for preventing GDM.

Key words: Gestational diabetes mellitus, Pregnant women, Inositol, Blood glucose, Insulin, Pregnancy outcome, Meta-analysis