Continuing metformin throughout pregnancy has been shown to also significantly reduce the incidence of insulin-requiring
gestational diabetes as well as fetal-growth restriction.
Metformin has been used as treatment for
polycystic ovarian disease and has been
reported to reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes in women who use the drug
throughout pregnancy (Glueck and colleagues, 2004). Even so, it is usually recommended
that metformin be discontinued once pregnancy is diagnosed because it is long known to
reach the fetus (Harborne and associates, 2003). The Fifth International Workshop
Conference recommended that metformin treatment for gestational diabetes be limited to
clinical trials with long-term infant follow-up (Metzger and co-workers, 2007).
Subsequently, Rowan and colleagues (2008) reported results of a study in which they
randomized 751 women with gestational diabetes to metformin or insulin treatment. The
primary outcome was a composite of one or more of
neonatal hypoglycemia, respiratory
distress,
phototherapy,
birth trauma, 5-minute Apgar score of 7 or less, and preterm
birth. Similarities in the composite outcome between metformin and insulin led the
investigators to conclude that metformin was not associated with increased perinatal
complications.