title: Growth, body composition and metabolic profile of 8-year-old children exposed to metformin in utero.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the possible long-term effects of metformin exposure on growth and development of the offspring born to mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The drug passes through the placenta and can potentially influence the fetus.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a follow-up study of a randomized, controlled trial on PCOS women, randomized to metformin or placebo in pregnancy. Out of 37 children aged 7-9 years, 25 agreed to participate. Primary outcome measures were growth, body composition and metabolic parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in height, weight or body composition between those exposed to metformin and those exposed to placebo. We found a higher fasting glucose level in the metformin group (4.93 mmol/L vs. 4.60 mmol/L, p = 0.04). In the metformin group there was a trend towards higher systolic blood pressure (106 mmHg vs. 101 mmHg, p = 0.05) and a lower LDL cholesterol level (2.42 mmol/L vs. 2.99 mmol/L, p = 0.07).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Metformin exposure during fetal life does not seem to influence growth and body composition at the age of 8 years. A higher fasting glucose level and a possible higher systolic blood pressure and lower LDL cholesterol level in the metformin group may be coincidental and should be further explored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Postboks 8945, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway. torstein.ro@ntnu.no
authors.forename: Torstein B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Rø
authors.forename: Heidi V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Ludvigsen
authors.forename: Sven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Carlsen
authors.forename: Eszter
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vanky
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008660:Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin