The effectiveness of glibenclamide in women with gestational diabetes.
BACKGROUND
Several studies have suggested that glibenclamide may be used safely and effectively in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of our study was to assess effectiveness and safety of glibenclamide for GDM in UK clinical practice.


METHODS
Women with GDM requiring pharmacological therapy were offered a choice of insulin or glibenclamide. Maternal and foetal outcomes were assessed in women treated with insulin (45) or glibenclamide (44) and also compared with women treated with diet alone (55).


RESULTS
Thirty-four (77%) achieved adequate glycaemic control with glibenclamide. Women choosing glibenclamide were more likely to be Asian and had higher fasting and 2-h glucose at diagnosis than those choosing insulin. There was no difference in maternal age or parity. Ten women treated with glibenclamide switched to insulin [inadequate control (7), unpredictable hypoglycaemia (1) and other reason (2)]. There was no difference in mode of birth, birth weight or birth weight centile between groups. One stillbirth occurred with glibenclamide. Glibenclamide treatment was associated with lower Apgar scores and increased neonatal jaundice. Neonatal hypoglycaemia occurred more frequently in babies of women treated with either glibenclamide or insulin.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of glibenclamide in pregnancy is associated with adequate glycaemic control in 77% of women and achieved similar foetal outcomes to women treated with insulin.
Holt
R I G
RI
Endocrinology and Metabolism Sub-Division, Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Division, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. righ@soton.ac.uk
Clarke
P
P
Parry
E C
EC
Coleman
M A G
MA
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D005905:Glyburide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007565:Jaundice / Q000139:chemically induced; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D050497:Stillbirth; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D005905:Glyburide