The administration of metformin during pregnancy reduces polycystic ovary syndrome related gestational complications

Abstract Objectives To prospectively evaluate the safety of metformin administration during pregnancy in a group of PCOS patients by assessing its effect on the prevalence of gestational complications and neonatal outcome. Study design Our prospective, single centre study included 98 pregnant women with PCOS treated with metformin throughout pregnancy and 110 normal pregnant controls. All PCOS patients were hyperinsulinemic and received metformin (1700–3000 mg/day) before conception and until 37 weeks’ gestation. Results Metformin treatment in the pregnant PCOS patients resulted in significant decrease in miscarriage rate (9.1% vs 20%; p < 0.05), gestational diabetes (0 vs 13%; p < 0.005), and gestational hypertension (0 vs 11%; p < 0.005) and a non-significant decrease in pre-eclampsia (0 vs 3%; p = .24), compared to the control group. Mean neonatal Apgar score, weight and length were comparable between the two groups. Conclusions Continuing metformin therapy throughout pregnancy resulted in significant reduction in pregnancy complications with concomitant improved neonatal outcome, with no serious deleterious side effects.