Dias, StephaniePheiffer, CarmenAdam, Sumaiya2024-06-072024-06-072023-09Dias, S.; Pheiffer, C.; Adam, S. The Maternal Microbiome and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Cause and Effect. Microorganisms 2023, 11, 2217. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092217.2076-2607 (online)10.3390/microorganisms11092217http://hdl.handle.net/2263/96349DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: No new data were created.Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a growing public health concern that affects many pregnancies globally. The condition is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes including gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, placental abruption, preterm birth, stillbirth, and fetal growth restriction. In the long-term, mothers and children have an increased risk of developing metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Accumulating evidence suggest that alterations in the maternal microbiome may play a role in the pathogenesis of GDM and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review describes changes in the maternal microbiome during the physiological adaptations of pregnancy, GDM and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Findings from this review highlight the importance of understanding the link between the maternal microbiome and GDM. Furthermore, new therapeutic approaches to prevent or better manage GDM are discussed. Further research and clinical trials are necessary to fully realize the therapeutic potential of the maternal microbiome and translate these findings into clinical practice.en© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.Maternal microbiomePregnancy complicationsAdverse maternal outcomesAdverse neonatal outcomesGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)SDG-03: Good health and well-beingArticle