Metformin throughout Pregnancy in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Safety and Advantages

Abstract

Objective: To study the incidence of spontaneous abortions, congenital malformations, neonatal and maternal hypoglycemia after metformin therapy in pregnancy. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Outpatient. Patient(s): 56 women previously oligomenorrheic, nondiabetic women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, who conceived while on metformin. Intervention(s): Metformin 1 to 1.5 gm/day throughout pregnancy. Main outcome: Incidence of 1st trimester abortions, gestational diabetes, teratogenicity and maternal complications, like gastritis and hypoglycemia. Results: On metformin, the incidence of 1st trimester abortion was 11% and the incidence of gestational diabetes was 7%, which is much lower than the incidence otherwise cited for PCOS women. No major congenital abnormalities were observed. Conclusion: Metformin therapy in pregnancy reduces the otherwise high incidence of 1st trimester abortions, and gestational diabetes in PCOS women is tolerated well and is not found to be teratogenic. © Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd.