Serum lipids and their association with birth weight in metformin and insulin treated patients with gestational diabetes

To compare the effects of metformin and insulin treatment on maternal serum lipids in patients with gestational diabetes (GDM), and to analyse the associations between individual lipids and birth weight (BW). This is a secondary analysis of a randomized trial comparing metformin (n = 110) and insulin (n = 107) treatment of GDM. Fasting serum lipidome was measured at baseline (the time of diagnosis, mean 30 gestational weeks, gw) and at 36 gw using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Total and VLDL triglycerides, and VLDL cholesterol increased from baseline to 36 gw in both treatment groups. The rise in triglycerides was greater in the metformin treated patients (p