The prophylactic role of metformin in obese pregnant woman

Introduction: Obesity in pregnancy is linked to complications such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and preterm labor. This study aimed to evaluate the prophylactic effect of metformin in reducing these complications in obese pregnant women.Method: An interventional controlled trial was conducted at Bint-Alhuda Teaching Hospital in Iraq, involving 120 obese pregnant women (gestational age 14-16 weeks). Participants were randomly divided into two groups: one treated with metformin and the other not. Both groups were monitored monthly until delivery for outcomes including gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, preterm labor, congenital anomalies, mode of delivery, and postpartum hemorrhage. Statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square tests.Results: Although the metformin group showed reductions in preterm births, gestational diabetes, and gestational hypertension, these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). However, a significant correlation was found between congenital anomalies and postpartum hemorrhage (p = 0.001).Conclusion: While metformin appeared to reduce certain pregnancy complications, the results were not statistically significant. Further research with larger sample sizes and varied dosing regimens is needed. Additionally, the significant link between congenital anomalies and postpartum hemorrhage warrants further exploration