The drug metformin offers promising treatment benefits for gestational diabetes, a study from the University of Galway has found.
This condition, affecting nearly three million pregnant women worldwide each year, carries increased health risks for mothers and newborns.
The research led by Prof Fidelma Dunne, a consultant endocrinologist, evaluated the effects of metformin on pregnant women who have gestational diabetes.
The trial's results were published in Jama: the Journal of American Medical Association.
“Traditionally, gestational diabetes management revolved around dietary advice and physical activity, with insulin as the next line of treatment," Prof Dunne told the 59th annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Hamburg, Germany.
"Though effective, insulin can present complications."
To try to find a safer and more effective alternative, the research team explored metformin, a drug with a six-decade history in treating Type 2 Diabetes.
The Emerge study, a randomised, placebo-controlled trial, engaged more than 500 pregnant participants and brought encouraging outcomes.
Women who were treated with metformin were 25 per cent less likely to need insulin. When it was required, insulin introduction occurred later in their pregnancy.
Participants on metformin displayed better sugar control, particularly during the 32nd and 38th weeks of gestation.
These women also experienced less weight gain throughout the study, a trend that persisted 12 weeks after giving birth.
Birth timings were comparable for the metformin and placebo groups, with no increase in preterm deliveries among those on metformin.
Infants born to mothers on metformin were, on average, 113g lighter, and there were fewer instances of them being classified as “large at birth”.
While a slight decrease in infant length was noted for the metformin group, other measurements were largely consistent with those of the placebo group.
No significant differences were found in adverse neo-natal outcomes or maternal complications during or after delivery.
“Metformin has emerged as a powerful alternative in gestational diabetes management," Prof Dunne said.
"It stands as a beacon of hope not just for expectant mothers, but for healthcare providers across the globe.”
This landmark study successfully dispelled lingering concerns over metformin, especially pertaining to preterm birth and infant size.
A vast majority (98 per cent) of participants continued the trial until delivery, and only a minimal 4.9 per cent discontinued the medication because of side-effects, underscoring its safety.
“The Emerge study reshapes our understanding of gestational diabetes treatment," Prof Dunne said.
"With the evident benefits of metformin, expectant mothers worldwide can now have more confidence in their treatment options."
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Most smart home devices are controlled via the owner's smartphone. Therefore, if you are using public wi-fi on your phone, always use a VPN (virtual private network) that offers strong security features and anonymises your internet connection.
Keep your smart home devices’ software up-to-date. Device makers often send regular updates - follow them without fail as they could provide protection from a new security risk.
Use two-factor authentication so that in addition to a password, your identity is authenticated by a second sign-in step like a code sent to your mobile number.
Set up a separate guest network for acquaintances and visitors to ensure the privacy of your IoT devices’ network.
Change the default privacy and security settings of your IoT devices to take extra steps to secure yourself and your home.
Always give your router a unique name, replacing the one generated by the manufacturer, to ensure a hacker cannot ascertain its make or model number.
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- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
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T. Christian Miller, Megan Rose and Robert Faturechi of ProPublica
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Ben Taub of The New Yorker
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Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
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Sector: FinTech
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
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Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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