Association of maternal vitamin B 12 and folate levels in early pregnancy with gestational diabetes: a prospective UK cohort study (PRiDE study)

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition in which a hormone made by the placenta prevents the body from using insulin effectively. Low vitamin B12 and low/high folate levels may contribute to GDM risk, however more research is needed. Hence Ponnusamy Saravanan and colleagues conducted study titled “Association of maternal vitamin B 12 and folate levels in early pregnancy with gestational diabetes: a prospective UK cohort study (PRiDE study)”published in Diabetologia.

Objective:

To assess the relationships of early pregnancy vitamin B12 and folate levels with the risk of GDM status at 26–28 weeks of gestation.

Methods:

Pregnant women attending antenatal care in UK were recruited between 2012 and 2018 and related demographic, anthropometric and clinical information was collected.

Findings:

The findings indicated B12 insufficiency and folate excess were common in the first trimester. Nearly around 27 weeks of gestation B12 levels were lower and folate levels were higher who were in due course diagnosed to have GDM.Lower B12 in early pregnancy was associated with higher fasting and 2 h glucose levels as well as a higher RR of GDM. Folate associations were opposite, and higher folate level was associated with higher 2h-PG and higher risk of GDM. These associations of B12 and folate levels with maternal blood glucose level were clinically small but statistically significant.

Limitations:

First, no glucose measurements in early pregnancy or 30 min or 1 h glucose and insulin measurements at OGTT. Second, no oxidised folate (or subfractions of folate) measurements performed. Third, the tHcy levels observed seem to be higher than in other studies. Fourth, findings may not be applicable to normal weight white women. Finally, minor ethnic specific analysis performed.