Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Introduction: Inadequate data are available on metformin therapy in gestational diabetes. The aim of the study was to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) treated with metformin with those treated with insulin, or diet alone. Material and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study that included 45 GDM women treated with metformin, 45 women treated with insulin and 83 women with no pharmacological treatment. Subjects were matched for pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and age. Results: There were no differences between the metformin-treated group and the other two groups in terms of maternal outcomes. In the diagnostic 2- hour oral glucose tolerance test, glucose values were slightly, but significantly, higher in the insulin group than in the metformin group (p < 0.003). No differences between the metformin-treated group and the other two groups (insulin, diet only) were observed in relation to mean birth weights, prevalence of macrosomia, or gestational weeks at delivery. The incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia was higher in the insulin group than in the metformin group (p = 0.03). There were no differences between the groups in other neonatal outcomes. Conclusion: These retrospective data suggest that metformin is effective in controlling gestational diabetes and is not associated with a higher risk of maternal or neonatal complications compared with insulin.