Maternal Plasma Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
- 1 September 2004
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in Epidemiology
- Vol. 15 (5), 597-604
- https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ede.0000134864.90563.fa
Abstract
Background: Antioxidants, particularly vitamin C (ascorbic acid), have the capacity to influence glucose tolerance. Modification of diet could reduce the likelihood of developing gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods: In a prospective cohort study of pregnant women, we studied the association of maternal plasma ascorbic acid concentrations, measured at an average of 13 weeks’ gestation, with subsequent risk of gestational diabetes. Maternal plasma ascorbic acid concentrations were determined using automated enzymatic procedures. Dietary vitamin C intake during the periconceptional period and early pregnancy was ascertained using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. We fitted generalized linear models to derive estimates of relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Approximately 4% (n = 33) of 755 women who completed pregnancy developed gestational diabetes mellitus. Plasma ascorbic acid concentrations were inversely associated with the risk of gestational diabetes (P for trend = 0.023). After adjusting for maternal age, race, prepregnancy adiposity, parity, family history of type 2 diabetes, and household income, women with plasma ascorbic acid <55.9 μmol/L (lowest quartile) experienced a 3.1-fold increased risk of gestational diabetes (95% CI = 1.0–9.7) compared with women whose concentrations were ≥74.6 μmol/L (upper quartile). Women who consumed <70 mg vitamin C daily experienced a 1.8-fold increased risk of gestational diabetes compared with women who consumed higher amounts (95% CI = 0.8–4.4). Conclusions: If confirmed, our results raise the possibility that current efforts to encourage populations to consume diets rich in antioxidants, including vitamin C, could reduce the occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus.Keywords
This publication has 27 references indexed in Scilit:
- Does Diabetes Mellitus Increase the Requirement for Vitamin C?Nutrition Reviews, 2009
- Report of the Expert Committee on the Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes MellitusDiabetes Care, 2002
- Fruit and vegetable intake and population glycosylated haemoglobin levels: the EPIC-Norfolk StudyEuropean Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2001
- Vitamin C and hyperglycemia in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer--Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk) study: a population-based study.Diabetes Care, 2000
- Gestational Diabetes MellitusNew England Journal of Medicine, 1999
- Studies on the Essential Role of Ascorbic Acid in the Energy Dependent Release of Insulin from Pancreatic IsletsBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1997
- Oxidative stress and insulin action: is there a relationship?Diabetologia, 1996
- Dietary Factors Determining Diabetes and Impaired Glucose Tolerance: A 20-year follow-up of the Finnish and Dutch cohorts of the Seven Countries StudyDiabetes Care, 1995
- Evidence for a relationship between oxidative stress and insulin action in non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetic patientsMetabolism, 1994
- Body weight and subsequent diabetes mellitusJAMA, 1982