Comparative Study of the Impact of Metformin Versus Insulin on Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Women Diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic comparative analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of metformin (MET) versus insulin (INS) in the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), providing valuable insights for future GDM management strategies.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive search of clinical studies related to MET and INS interventions in GDM through online literature databases, applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of the included studies was rigorously evaluated. Data on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), pregnancy weight gain (PWG), premature delivery rate (PDR), and neonatal outcomes among GDM patients were extracted and analyzed using Review Manager 5.3 software.

RESULTS

We identified eleven high-quality studies comprising 8679 participants following careful screening and assessment. Our meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction in the incidence of excessive PWG and neonatal hypoglycemia in the MET treatment group (research group) compared to the INS treatment group (control group) (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the effectiveness and safety of MET in achieving optimal blood glucose control in GDM. These results suggest the potential for broader clinical adoption of MET in GDM management.