Systematic review of the use of metformin compared to insulin for the management of gestational diabetes: Implications for low‑resource settings
Revue systématique de l'utilisation de la metformine comparée à l'insuline pour la gestion du diabète gestationnel : Implications pour les milieux à faibles ressources
Ribal Kattini, Len Kelly, M Clin Sci, Ruben Hummelen
Details
ISSN Number: 12037796
Language: English/French
Format: PDF
Pages: 21–27
Content Summary
This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of metformin compared to insulin for managing gestational diabetes, particularly in low-resource settings. The review included 14 randomized controlled trials, demonstrating that metformin is generally as effective as insulin in achieving glycemic control and improving pregnancy outcomes, with some patients requiring supplemental insulin. Metformin was associated with lower maternal weight gain and neonatal hypoglycemia, but some studies noted an increase in pre-term births. The findings suggest metformin could simplify gestational diabetes management in rural areas where healthcare resources are limited.