Keywords
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus; Pregnancy; Oral Microbiome
Abstract
Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy-related metabolic disorder associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Recent research has highlighted the potential role of the oral microbiome in the pathophysiology of various systemic conditions, including diabetes mellitus. However, the impact of GDM on the maternal oral microbiome remains relatively understudied. Understanding alterations in the oral microbiome during pregnancy complicated by GDM could provide valuable insights into the mechanistic links between systemic metabolic disorders and oral health.
Objective: The objective of this scoping review was to comprehensively examine the existing literature on the relationship between GDM and maternal oral microbiome composition and diversity. The review sought to identify the microbial changes associated with GDM and explore their potential implications for maternal oral health and pregnancy outcomes.
Design: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search of electronic databases, including “Pubmed” and “Web of Science,” was conducted to identify relevant studies investigating the impact of GDM on the maternal oral microbiome. Eligible studies included those examining microbial diversity, abundance, and composition in pregnant women with GDM and their neonates. Data synthesis involved summarizing key findings and identifying patterns across studies.
Results: A total of eight primary studies were identified and included in the scoping review. These studies employed various methodologies, including observational reports, longitudinal analyses, and cohort studies, to investigate the relationship between GDM and the maternal oral microbiome. Findings from these studies revealed distinct alterations in oral microbial profiles among neonates and pregnant women with GDM compared to healthy controls. These alterations encompassed shifts in microbial diversity, abundance, and composition, suggesting potential biomarkers or indicators of GDM status within the oral microbiome. Longitudinal analyses further elucidated dynamic changes in the oral microbiota throughout pregnancy and postpartum, underscoring the temporal nature of these associations.
Conclusions: The synthesis of evidence from the scoping review highlights significant associations between GDM and alterations in the maternal oral microbiome. While these findings imply a correlation between GDM and oral microbial changes, causality cannot be directly inferred. Further research is warranted to decipher the underlying mechanisms driving these associations and to explore their potential implications for maternal oral health and pregnancy outcomes. Nonetheless, the insights gleaned from this review underscore the importance of integrating oral health assessments into routine prenatal care protocols for gestational diabetic individuals. By doing so, healthcare providers can enhance risk stratification, early detection, and management of GDM, ultimately improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
Thesis Completion Year
2024
Thesis Completion Semester
Spring
Thesis Chair
Rovito, Michael
College
College of Health Professions and Sciences
Department
Health Sciences
Thesis Discipline
Health Sciences
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus Access
None
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
Langan, Jaclyn P., "The Impact of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Maternal Oral Microbiome: A Scoping Review" (2024). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 109.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/109
Included in
Bacteria Commons, Dental Hygiene Commons, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Digestive, Oral, and Skin Physiology Commons, Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Commons, Maternal and Child Health Commons, Medical Microbiology Commons, Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons, Oral Biology and Oral Pathology Commons, Other Dentistry Commons
Rights Statement
