Selenium Supplementation and Gestational Diabetes: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Study Goal
To assess the effects of selenium supplementation on blood glucose levels in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
Results Summary
Selenium levels were significantly lower in pregnant women with GDM compared to healthy pregnant women, and supplementation (200 µg/day) led to greater reductions in fasting, 1st, and 2nd-hour blood glucose levels compared to diet alone.
Population
Pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
Effective Dosage
200 µg/day
Duration
4 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- | decrease | Selenium level | pregnant women with GDM | - | was significantly lower than | #1 |
- | neutral | a selenium level less than 80 ng/ml | - | 58.59% sensitivity, 67.11% specificity | predicted GDM diagnosis with a sensitivity of 58.59% and a specificity of 67.11% | #2 |
- | increase | risk for GDM | Pregnant women with low selenium (<80 ng/ml) | 2.709-fold | had a 2.709-fold higher risk for GDM | #3 |
Diet alone | decrease | Fasting blood glucose levels | pregnant women diagnosed with GDM | - | decreased significantly | #4 |
diet plus selenium supplementation (200 µg/day) | decrease | Fasting blood glucose levels | pregnant women diagnosed with GDM | - | decreased significantly | #5 |
diet plus selenium supplementation (200 µg/day) | decrease | Fasting blood glucose levels | pregnant women diagnosed with GDM | - | the decrease was greater in selenium recipients | #6 |
diet plus selenium supplementation (200 µg/day) | decrease | fasting, 1st and 2nd hour blood glucose levels | pregnant women diagnosed with GDM | - | were lower in selenium recipients compared to those who only received diet | #7 |
Selenium supplementation | decrease | blood glucose levels | pregnant women with GDM | - | had a beneficial impact (compared to diet only) | #8 |
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of selenium supplementation on blood glucose levels in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). STUDY DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkiye, from February to July 2023. METHODOLOGY: In the first phase of this study, the selenium levels of the pregnant women who routinely had an oral glucose tolerance test were measured, and in the second phase of the study, the pregnant women diagnosed with GDM were randomly divided into two groups that received 4-week interventions: Diet alone and diet plus selenium supplementation (200 µg/day). RESULTS: Selenium level in pregnant women with GDM was significantly lower than in healthy pregnant women, and a selenium level less than 80 ng/ml predicted GDM diagnosis with a sensitivity of 58.59% and a specificity of 67.11%. Pregnant women with low selenium (<80 ng/ml) had a 2.709-fold higher risk for GDM compared to those with higher values. Fasting blood glucose levels decreased significantly in both groups after the respective interventions, but the decrease was greater in selenium recipients. Furthermore, fasting, 1st and 2nd hour blood glucose levels were lower in selenium recipients compared to those who only received diet. CONCLUSION: Selenium level in pregnant women with GDM was low compared to healthy pregnant women. Selenium supplementation had a beneficial impact (compared to diet only) on blood glucose levels in pregnant women with GDM. KEY WORDS: Pregnancy, Pregnancy outcome, Diabetes, Gestational, Dietary supplements, Selenium.