ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To assess the maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with GDM treated with metformin, medical nutrition therapy (MNT) or insulin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The current retrospective cohort study includes data from 233 women diagnosed with GDM who gave birth between January 2017 and January 2019 at an obstetrics and gynecology hospital in Sofia, Bulgaria. Patients were assigned to three groups, according to the treatment approach - metformin group (n = 70), insulin group (n = 40), and MNT group (n = 123). Values of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) have been evaluated at diagnosis of GDM and the third trimester of pregnancy. A comparative analysis of pregnancy outcomes and short-term neonatal characteristics in the investigated groups has been performed. RESULTS: Women indicated for pharmacological treatment (metformin or insulin) had significantly higher BMI (p < 0.01), FPG (p < 0.001), and HbA1c levels (p < 0.001) at baseline. However, during pregnancy, patients treated with metformin showed a significantly lower BMI (p < 0.01), FPG (p < 0.01), and HbA1c (p < 0.01). Neonates born to metformin-treated mothers had lower birth weight compared to those born to women in the MNT and insulin groups (metformin vs MNT, p < 0.001; metformin vs insulin, p = 0.03). The lowest incidence of newborns with macrosomia and neonatal hypoglycemia has been observed in the metformin cohort. Not a single newborn with an Apgar score under 7 has been identified in the metformin group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the current analysis, women with GDM treated with metformin demonstrated better maternal and neonatal outcomes. No short-term complications in newborns have been associated with metformin use during pregnancy.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common pregnancy complications. The universal screening for GDM is usually performed between 24-28 weeks' gestation. This often delays the diagnosis and could increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Some of the biochemical placental markers - pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free-ß human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), probably could provide a diagnostic value for GDM. The aim of our study was to assess if PAPP-A and hCG values were different among pregnant women with and without GDM and respectively, to tested their place in the early GDM screening. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, case-control study by reviewing the clinical database records of 662 pregnant women. The analysis includes the data for a two-year period. The patients included in the observation were divided into two groups - GDM group (n = 412) and Euglycemic group (n = 250). Early screening for GDÐ between 9-12 weeks' gestation was performed in 173 of the women in the interventional group due to: registered fasting plasma glucose (FPG) above 5.1 mmol/L, obesity, macrosomia in previous pregnancies or family history for diabetes mellitus. The remaining 239 women underwent universal screening at 24-28 weeks' gestation. Mean serum levels of PAPP-A, hCG, FPG, and body mass index (BMI) were measured between 10-13 gestational weeks. Serum levels of PAPP-A and hCG are presented as multiples of the normal median (MoM), adjusted by maternal baseline characteristics and demographics. RESULTS: In patients who developed GDM during pregnancy, compared with the control group, we have found significantly lower MoM values of PAPP-A (p < 0.0001), higher levels of FPG (Ñ < 0.0001) and higher BMI (Ñ < 0.0001). Median hCG MoM was similar in both group of pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that low-normal to low reference range values of PAPP-A might be associated with higher risk for GDM. PAAP-A levels can be used as an additional factor to recommend early screening for GDM.
