Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Chemical Exposure

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy complication with significant implications for maternal and fetal health. Recent studies suggest environmental chemical exposure, particularly to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and phthalates, may be a novel risk factor for GDM. This meta-analysis investigates the association between exposure to environmental chemicals and the risk of developing GDM using random-effects models by comprehensive electronic search carried out in the EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science databases for relevant studies from their inception to November 2021. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for the association between environmental chemical exposure and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is approximately 5.923, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from 5.314 to 6.60 which is a statistically significant association between higher levels of environmental chemical exposure and increased GDM risk. The findings underscore the need for public health strategies aimed at reducing exposure to harmful chemicals among pregnant women to mitigate GDM risk.