BACKGROUND

The mellitus exact role of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate in increasing the rate of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is still unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the association of treatment with 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate with GDM in pregnant women who are at risk for preterm birth (PTB).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this clinical trial, 200 singleton pregnant women included 100 pregnant women at risk for PTB or with history of PTB as case group (received weekly injections of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate) and 100 healthy pregnant women without history of PTB as control group (did not receive any drug) were evaluated. All women followed until detect or reject of GDM, and abnormal glucose challenge test (GCT) and GDM were calculated in all of them.

RESULTS

During study follow-up, 36 women in both groups were excluded and 81 cases 83 controls completed the study and analyzed. Mean of GCT in all studied pregnant women was 128.2 ± 18.1, whereas, in cases was higher than controls but no significant difference was noted between groups (P = 0.56). Abnormality in GCT was observed in 32 (19.5%) of 164 studied women, (18 of cases and 14 of controls), which was not statistically significant (P = 0.34). The frequency of GDM among all studied women was 7.9% (13 of 164), 7 of cases and 6 of controls, which was not significant (P = 0.74).

CONCLUSION

In summary, results demonstrated that weekly administration of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate is not associated with higher rates of GDM in pregnant women at risk for PTB.