Comparative Study between Metformin and Insulin in Controlling Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: the use of antidiabetic drugs to control gestational diabetes was controversial. Some studies suggest a possible link between the use of oral antidiadetics and fetal anomalies, fetal macrosomia and neonatal hypoglycemia whereas others have demonstrated no such relationship. Objective: This study aims to assess the efficacy of metformin in controlling maternal blood glucose level compared to insulin in women with GDM. Patients and Methods: The present study included 116 pregnant women who have been diagnosed as gestational diabetics before 34 weeks gestation with singleton pregnancy. They had FBG level ranging from 90-169 mg/dl or 2-hour postprandial blood glucose level ranging from 110-176 mg/dl. The exclusion criteria include pregnant women with preexisting DM and underlying diseases known to affect fetal growth, preeclampsia, unbalanced chronic disease, twin pregnancy, or refused to participate. Results: Comparison of the baseline characteristics was performed between 2 groups and there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding maternal age, gravidity, parity, GA at time of diagnosis, GA at beginning of treatment, and BMI at time of diagnosis. Analysis of the results revealed that metformin was an effective medication for control of blood glucose in women with GDM who failed to achieve euglycemic with diet only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]