Metformin, Maternal Glycemic Control, and Neonatal Hypoglycemia After Antenatal Steroids: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors' conclusion
In this randomized clinical trial, metformin was safe and effective in preventing betamethasone-induced maternal hyperglycemia and neonatal hypoglycemia. Metformin should be considered as a treatment option for women who receive antenatal corticosteroids to prevent their related adverse effects.
Study context
- Population
- Pregnant women without diabetes receiving betamethasone at 24.0–36.5 gestational weeks for increased preterm delivery risk, 3 medical centers in Israel; mean (SD) age 29.7 (5.4) years
- Participants
- 169 women
- Comparison
- Metformin vs no treatment after betamethasone
- Primary endpoint
- Mean maternal glucose values up to 48 hours from first betamethasone injection, and rate of neonatal hypoglycemia in preterm deliveries (<37 gestational weeks)
- Follow-up
- Up to 48 hours
Methodological detailsmulticenter, open-label
- Multicenter
- Open-label
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
- Mean (SD) maternal total glucose: Metformin 121 [15] vs Control 127 [17] mg/dL; P = .01
- Neonatal hypoglycemia in preterm infants (48 Metformin, 58 Control): Metformin 10 [21%] vs Control 23 [40%]; P = .04; relative risk 0.53 (95% CI, 0.28-0.99)
Further findings
Mean maternal postprandial glucose · lower with Metformin
P = 0.009
Safety
Mild adverse effects, mostly gastrointestinal
- Women reporting mild adverse effects (14%)
- 12
Parts of this Brief are withheld: the automatic checks could not confirm them against the abstract.
Original publication
Metformin, Maternal Glycemic Control, and Neonatal Hypoglycemia After Antenatal Steroids: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. Published 2 January 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →