Insulin glargine safe for pregnant diabetics

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The use of insulin glargine, a man-made type of insulin, for diabetes during pregnancy does not increase the risk of complications for the developing baby, findings from a pilot study indicate.

In experimental studies, man-made insulin has been shown to have growth-promoting effects. Concerns have therefore been raised that use of insulin glargine during pregnancy could cause excessive fetal growth and other problems. A recent review actually recommended against the use of the agent during pregnancy, but called for further studies to investigate its safety.

As reported in the BJOG: British Journal of Obstetric and Gynecology, Dr. N. Price and colleagues, from John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, UK, evaluated 20 pregnant women with type I diabetes and 44 with gestational diabetes, which develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after delivery. Half of the women used insulin glargine and the other half used standard insulin.

No significant differences in birthweight were noted between infants born to insulin glargine users and those born to standard insulin users. In fact, the rate of excessively large babies was actually slightly lower in the insulin glargine group: 38 versus 41 percent.

The groups were also comparable in terms of infant complications, admission to special care infant units, and congenital abnormalities, the report indicates.

"We believe that our results justify large...trials to confirm the efficacy and safety of insulin glargine in the treatment of pregnant women with type I diabetes and those who develop diabetes during pregnancy," the authors conclude.

SOURCE: British Journal of Obstetric and Gynecology, April 2007.