Frequency Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Treated with Metformin in Ahvaz in 2018-2019

Background and Objectives Metformin is increasingly used as an effective treatment for gestational diabetes (GDM). However, the impact of metformin treatment on maternal and neonatal outcomes is not well known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of maternal and fetal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes treated with metformin in Ahvaz. Subjects and Methods This retrospective study was conducted on 314 women with gestational diabetes treated with metformin in the outpatient department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz during 1397-98. The women were followed up until delivery and maternal and neonatal outcomes were assessed. Results The result of this study showed that 32 patients (10.2%) had preterm labor, 2 patients (0.6%) had preeclampsia 6 patients (1.9%), had low birth weight (LBW), 1 patient (0.3%) had macrosomia, and 6 patients (1.9%) had neonatal hypoglycemia. Abnormal blood glucose 6 weeks after delivery was observed in 13 cases (4.1%). In all but 8 (2.5%) women with GDM, optimal glycemic control (HbA1C<6.5) was achieved with metformin alone. There was no significant association between maternal and neonatal outcomes and baseline characteristics of metformin-treated women with GDM. Conclusion Our study shows that metformin is effective and safe in the treatment of GDM. It is not associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal-fetal complications and can be used as a useful treatment in the management of gestational diabetes to reduce the costs associated with gestational diabetes.