Diabetes Drug Isn’t Working For Obese Pregnant Women’s Babies, New Study Says

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A new study has shown that a diabetes drug isn't helping obese women give birth to normal weight babies.


A diabetes drug given to pregnant women, intended to help newborns have a healthy birthing weight, might not be working, a recent study finds. The study found that the drug didn’t lessen the chance obese pregnant women will give birth to an abnormally large baby although the drug did assist in controlling the woman’s weight gain.


The study included 450 obese, BMI over 35, pregnant women within their 12 and 18 weeks of pregnancy. 50 percent of the group was randomly assigned to take the drug every day while the other group received a placebo. Those who took the drug, they had a 17 percent chance of a large baby. Those who took the placebo, they had a 15 percent chance of a large baby.


“Those findings bring to light some potential benefits of [the drug] for these women,” said Dr. Jerrie Refuerzo, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University Of Texas Health McGovern Medical School, in Houston.


It is typical for obese, pregnant mothers to give birth to large babies. This may be due to a high blood sugar and insulin levels explained Dr. Hassan Shehata, the senior researcher on the new study. One of the biggest concerns of pregnancy-related diabetes is a fetus becoming too large that it will cause birthing complications and may require a cesarean section delivery. The infants may have a higher risk of dangerous blood-sugar lows, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.


Although, the drug did help some women to lose weight the drug had side effects that made it harder to take, Refuerzo said. Vomiting, stomach pain and nausea were common symptoms.


Currently, managing obesity while pregnant will rely on diet and exercise, Refuerzo said.


There are healthy ways to lose weight without the negative side effects of prescription medication.


Learn More.


Release ID: 103656