Objective To investigate the effect of probiotics on the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus, intestinal flora and pregnancy outcomes in overweight or obese pregnant women.

Methods A total of 112 overweight or obese pregnant women were selected as research objects, and they were divided into control group (n=56) and observation group (n=56) by random sampling method. The observation group received probiotics three times a day from 20 weeks of gestation to delivery, while the control group received placebo capsules. The incidence of gestational diabetes, changes in blood glucose and intestinal microflora during pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes (premature delivery, gestational hypertension, cesarean section, placental abruption, premature rupture of membranes, etc.) and neonatal outcomes (body weight, macrosomia, head circumference, neonatal hypoglycemia and total bilirubin after 3 to 5 days of birth) were observed in both groups.

Results At 28 weeks, the number of pregnant women with gestational diabetes in the observation group was significantly less than that in the control group (4 cases versus 14 cases, P < 0.05), and the 2 h postprandial blood glucose level in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group(102.9±20.7) mg/dL versus (116.4±25.6) mg/dL, P < 0.05. Intestinal microflora analysis showed that lactobacillus, bifidobacteria and enterococcus in the observation group were (8.03±1.01) CFU/g, (8.43±1.28) CFU/g and (11.46±1.22) CFU/g, which were significantly higher than (7.61±0.88) CFU/g, (7.24±1.24) CFU/g, (10.36±1.13) CFU/g in the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The number of premature delivery in the observation group was significantly less than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The total bilirubin level in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group 3 to 5 days after birth (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Probiotics can effectively reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus and prevent the occurrence of hyperbilirubinemia in infants by regulating blood glucose and intestinal flora in overweight or obese pregnant women.