Effects of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) on Pregnancy/Neonatal Outcomes and Maternal Glycemic Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

No systematic review to date has appraised the impact of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan on maternal glycemic control and pregnancy outcomes. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to ascertain whether the DASH diet in pregnant women ameliorates their glycemic control and neonatal outcomes when compared to standard diets. We performed a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs on PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Embase from the inception until October 2019. Six studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the quantitative meta-analysis. The pregnant women had cardiometabolic disorders such as gestational diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. The meta-analysis suggested a significant effect of DASH diet on fasting plasma levels of glucose (WMD = -6.239 mg/dl; 95% CI: -11.915, -0.563, p = 0.031), but not for the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (WMD = -1.038; 95% CI: -2.704, 0.627, p = 0.22). Following the DASH diet during pregnancy decreased the risk of gestational preeclampsia (RR = 0.667; 95% CI: 0.451, 0.987, p = 0.043), macrosomia (birth weight >4000 g) (RR = 0.294; 95% CI: 0.120, 0.721, p = 0.043), and large for gestational age (RR = 0.452; 95% CI: 0.211, 0.969, p = 0.041). Consuming DASH diet during pregnancy neither increased nor decreased the risk of cesarean section, polyhydramnios, preterm birth (<37 weeks), and small for gestational age. The mean newborn head circumference (cm) (WMD = -0.807; 95% CI: -1.283, -0.331, p = 0.001) and ponderal index (kg/m3) (RR = -0.396; 95% CI: -0.441, -0.350, p = 0.000) in the group receiving the DASH diet were lower than in the control group. The adherence of pregnant women with cardiometabolic disorders to DASH eating pattern has a significant effect on decreasing fasting plasma glucose levels, ponderal index, incidence of preeclampsia, fetal macrosomia, large for gestational age, and newborn head circumference.