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Metformin during Pregnancy: Effects on Offspring Development and Metabolic Function.
Gonzalo Jorquera1, Bárbara Echiburú2, Nicolás Crisosto2,3
1Centro de Neurobiología y Fisiopatología Integrativa (CENFI), Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valpararaíso, Chile.
Frontiers in Pharmacology
|July 7, 2020
Summary
Metformin use during pregnancy for gestational diabetes shows potential benefits but may also increase offspring obesity risk. Further research is needed to weigh these risks and benefits for maternal and child health.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive medicine
- Developmental biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are linked to offspring postnatal diseases like obesity and hypertension.
- Metformin is being investigated for GDM and insulin resistance during pregnancy.
- Metformin's impact on fetal and postnatal development requires careful evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical and experimental evidence on metformin use during pregnancy.
- To discuss both the beneficial and potentially negative effects of metformin on offspring development.
Main Methods:
- Minireview of existing human and animal studies.
- Analysis of clinical trial data and experimental research.
Main Results:
- Metformin demonstrates beneficial effects on maternal glycemia and pregnancy outcomes.
- Some studies suggest metformin may amplify developmental alterations, leading to postnatal weight gain and obesity in offspring.
Conclusions:
- Metformin presents a potential treatment for GDM in pregnancy, offering metabolic improvements.
- Evidence suggests a possible adverse effect of prenatal metformin exposure on offspring's long-term metabolic health, necessitating further investigation.
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