Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence TrackerResearch Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™
DHA supplementation shows no effect on neonatal metabolic biomarkers in GDM
Last updated September 4, 2026
Key finding
The newborns in the DHA group had higher birth weight z scores (p = 0.02).
This study investigated the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus. It found no significant differences in most measured outcomes, except for higher birth weight z scores in the DHA group.
Quick read
Study at a glance
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Medium-Term (3–12 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
What this paper says
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This study investigated the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus. It found no significant differences in most measured outcomes, except for higher birth weight z scores in the DHA group.
Clinical relevance
Understanding the effects of DHA supplementation during pregnancy is crucial for managing gestational diabetes and ensuring healthy birth outcomes. While DHA did not improve most metabolic markers, the increase in birth weight z scores may have implications for infant health and development.
Keep in mind
Limited sample size may affect generalizability. Short follow-up period for assessing long-term outcomes. Potential unmeasured confounders influencing results.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Ya-Jie X, Wen-Juan W, Qiu-Yi Z, et al. Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2023;10:1089131. doi:10.3389/fnut.2023.1089131
Main Effects
No significant differences in cord blood leptin concentrations (p > 0.05).
No significant differences in total adiponectin levels (p > 0.05).
Higher birth weight z scores in the DHA group (p = 0.02).
Evidence network
How this study fits
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
Evidence Context
This study contributes evidence to DHA supplementation and Adiponectin, Birth weight z score, Maternal glycemic control, and 2 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
DHA supplementation
Primary outcomes
- Adiponectin
- Birth weight z score
- Maternal glycemic control
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
Evidence relationships
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
5
Evidence pairs
5
Relationships
0
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence
Editorial context
Why this study matters
See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.
Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 50
0
Related topics
5
Evidence pairs
0
Related studies
Why it is useful
- Contributes to 5 evidence relationships
- Includes primary outcome data
- Linked to 0 direct semantic evidence topics
Core evidence
Study findings
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Birth weight z score
DHA supplementation → Birth weight z score
DHA supplementation → Birth weight z score
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 100
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence TrackerMaternal glycemic control
DHA supplementation → Maternal glycemic control
DHA supplementation → Maternal glycemic control
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence TrackerMean leptin level change
DHA supplementation → Mean leptin level change
DHA supplementation → Mean leptin level change
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence TrackerTotal IGF-1 levels measured after overnight fasting
DHA supplementation → Total IGF-1 levels measured after overnight fasting
DHA supplementation → Total IGF-1 levels measured after overnight fasting
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Library
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Evidence Suggest
- DHA supplementation showed no significant impact on cord blood leptin or adiponectin levels.
- Maternal glycemic control remained similar between DHA and control groups.
- Newborns in the DHA group had higher birth weight z scores (p = 0.02).
Who this applies to
- Pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus.
- Women seeking dietary interventions during pregnancy.
Keep in Mind
- Results may not apply to populations outside the study's demographics.
- Further research is needed to explore long-term effects of DHA supplementation.
- The study did not measure all potential health outcomes related to gestational diabetes.
Between the Lines
- Limited sample size may affect generalizability.
- Short follow-up period for assessing long-term outcomes.
- Potential unmeasured confounders influencing results.
Evidence Library
Build your evidence library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Connected Evidence
Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.
Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on DHA supplementation and Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers, DHA supplementation and Birth weight z score.
Related evidence relationships
Explore in Evidence ExplorerThis study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Supplements
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
View evidenceSupplements
DHA supplementation → Birth weight z score
Supplements
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 100
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
View evidenceIncluded in these evidence collections
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers Evidence Hub
All studies measuring Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers
1 studies
outcome_hubMeasures Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers as a key outcome.
Birth weight z score Evidence Hub
All studies measuring Birth weight z score
1 studies
outcome_hubMeasures Birth weight z score as a key outcome.
DHA supplementation Evidence Hub
All studies on DHA supplementation
1 studies
intervention_hubContributes to DHA supplementation evidence base.
Explore more in Evidence Explorer
Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.
All studies on DHA supplementation and Adiponectin
Intervention: DHA supplementationOutcome: Adiponectin
1 results
All studies on DHA supplementation and Birth weight z score
Intervention: DHA supplementationOutcome: Birth weight z score
1 results
All studies on DHA supplementation
Intervention: DHA supplementation
1 results
All studies measuring Adiponectin
Outcome: Adiponectin
1 results
All studies measuring Birth weight z score
Outcome: Birth weight z score
1 results
Questions answered by this study
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Does DHA supplementation improve birth weight z score?
Emerging Evidence
DHA supplementation appears to improve birth weight z score.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Birth weight z score
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
- Only one supporting study is available.
Does DHA supplementation improve adiponectin?
Emerging Evidence
Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of DHA supplementation for adiponectin.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Adiponectin
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
- Only one supporting study is available.
Does DHA supplementation improve maternal glycemic control?
Emerging Evidence
Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of DHA supplementation for maternal glycemic control.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Maternal glycemic control
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
- Only one supporting study is available.
Does DHA supplementation improve mean leptin level change?
Emerging Evidence
Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of DHA supplementation for mean leptin level change.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Mean leptin level change
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
- Only one supporting study is available.
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