Position paper of the Italian Association of Medical Diabetologists (AMD), Italian Society of Diabetology (SID), and the Italian Study Group of Diabetes in pregnancy: Metformin use in pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: This document purpose is to create an evidence-based position statement on the role of metformin therapy in pregnancy complicated by obesity, gestational diabetes (GDM), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Methods: A comprehensive review of international diabetes guidelines and a search of medical literature was performed to identify studies presenting data on the use of metformin in pregnancy. The document was approved by the councils of the two scientific societies.

Results: In condition affecting the fertility, as PCOS, metformin use in pre-conception or early in pregnancy may be beneficial for clinical pregnancy, even in ART treatment, and in obese-PCOS women may reduce preterm delivery. In obese women, even in the presence of GDM or T2DM, metformin use in pregnancy is associated with a lower gestational weight gain. In pregnancy complicated by diabetes (GDM or T2DM), metformin improves maternal glycemic control and may reduce insulin dose. Neonatal and infant outcomes related to metformin exposure in utero are lacking. Metformin use in women with GDM or T2DM is associated with lower birth weight. However, an increased tendency to overweight-obesity has been observed in children, later in life.

Conclusions: Metformin may represent a therapeutic option in selected women with obesity, PCOS, GDM, T2DM, and in women undergoing ART. However, more research is required specifically on the long-term effects of in utero exposition to metformin.

Keywords: Gestational diabetes; Neonatal outcomes; Obesity; Placenta; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Type 2 diabetes.