Metformin's effect on first-year weight gain: a follow-up study.
Author(s): Carlsen SM, Martinussen MP, Vanky E.
Affiliation(s): Unit for Applied Clinical Research, Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular
Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
Publication date & source: 2012, Pediatrics. , 130(5):e1222-6
BACKGROUND: The impact of metformin medication in pregnant women with polycystic
ovary syndrome on weight gain during pregnancy and after delivery and the impact
on growth of the offspring are essentially unexplored.
METHODS: This is a follow-up study of a randomized controlled trial (The
Metformin treatment in pregnant PCOS women study), conducted in 11 secondary care
centers. Women with PCOS were randomized to metformin (2000 mg daily) or placebo
from first trimester to delivery. Questionnaires were sent to 256 participants 1
year postpartum. Maternal weight development in pregnancy and the first year
after delivery and offspring anthropometry at birth and weight 1 year postpartum
were registered.
RESULTS: Women randomized to metformin gained less weight during pregnancy
compared with those in the placebo group. In the newborns, there was no
difference between the 2 groups in weight or length. One year postpartum, women
who used metformin in pregnancy lost less weight and their infants were heavier
than those in the placebo group (10.2 ± 1.2 kg vs 9.7 ± 1.1 kg, P = .003).
CONCLUSIONS: Women randomized to metformin were heavier in the first trimester,
gained less weight in pregnancy, and lost less weight in the first year
postpartum compared with women randomized to placebo. Children exposed to
metformin weighed more at 1 year of age.
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