DASH (2016)

Intervention
In women with GDM, what impact do dietary patterns based on the DASH diet have on fetal/neonatal and maternal outcomes?
- Conclusion
  Dietary patterns based on the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, (which contained higher amounts of carbohydrate and dietary fiber, and less sucrose, total fat, dietary cholesterol and less sodium), when compared to a control diet, were effective in improving both fetal and maternal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) who did not require insulin at the time of diagnosis. Improvements were found in glucose tolerance, glycosylated hemoglobin levels, insulin resistance, need for insulin, lipid profile, systolic blood pressure and biomarkers of oxidative stress. There was also a lower incidence of Cesarean-section deliveries. Infant birthweights, head circumferences, ponderal indices and the incidence of macrosomia were lower in infants whose mothers consumed the DASH diet.
- Grade: III
  - Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
  - Grade II is Fair;
  - Grade III is Limited/Weak;
  - Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
  - Grade V is Not Assignable.
  - High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
  - Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
  - Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
  - Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
  - Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
- Evidence Summary: In women with GDM, what impact do dietary patterns based on the DASH diet have on fetal/neonatal and maternal outcomes?
- Search Plan and Results: GDM: Carbohydrate 2014