A COMPARITIVE EFFICACY STUDY OF METFORMIN AND INSULIN ON NEONATAL OUTCOMES AMONG GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS

Akhila T. S., Anand A. S.*, Liya Kuriakose, Shabina M. and NIthin Manohar R.

ABSTRACT

Background: To compare the efficacy of Metformin and Human Insulin on neonatal outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus patients. Methods: A total of 120 patients with GDM were selected in which 60 patients with metformin and 60 patients with insulin. Neonatal outcomes such as Gestational age, birth weight, APGAR score, Hypoglycemia, Hyperbilirubinemia and respiratory distress were collected at the time of birth. Result: It was found that metformin is comparable with insulin and can be used as an alternative to insulin. Effectiveness via glucose control was almost same for both groups. Preterm delivery was significantly higher in insulin group than in metformin group. Regarding neonatal outcomes, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia was significantly lower in metformin treated group. All other neonatal outcomes (body weight, neonatal hypoglycaemia, neonatal respiratory distress) and mode of delivery were comparable. Conclusion: Metformin is found to be as effective as Insulin in the treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.Compared to Insulin, Metformin is a safer, cheap and convenient first line drug of choice for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Keywords: Gestational diabetes mellitus, insulin, metformin, OGTT.