Examining the Starting Dose of Glyburide in Gestational Diabetes

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the impact of initial glyburide dosing on pregnancy outcomes.

Study Design Retrospective cohort of singleton pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) from 2007 to 2013. Women who received glyburide were compared by initial dose: 2.5 mg (n = 170) versus 5 mg (n = 154) total daily dose. The primary maternal outcome was hypoglycemia, defined as a blood glucose < 60 mg/dL. The primary neonatal outcome was birth weight. Secondary maternal outcomes included time to blood glucose control, preeclampsia, and cesarean delivery. Secondary neonatal outcomes included macrosomia (>4,000 g), hypoglycemia (<40 mg/dL), shoulder dystocia, and preterm delivery.

Results The 5 mg/day glyburide dose did not increase maternal hypoglycemia (26% in the 2.5 mg/day group vs. 27% in the 5 mg/day group; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.67; confidence interval [CI] 0.30–1.49). An increase in macrosomia in the 5 mg/day group was not significant after adjusting for maternal obesity (AOR 2.16; CI 0.96–4.88). Differences in preterm birth and large for gestational age were not significant after adjusting for prior preterm birth and maternal obesity, respectively.

Conclusions A higher starting dose of glyburide for the management of GDM was not associated with increased maternal hypoglycemia or decreased adverse neonatal outcomes.

Keywords

gestational diabetes - glyburide - hypoglycemia - macrosomia

Note

This study was presented in a poster format at the Pregnancy Meeting, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, February 3–8, 2014, New Orleans, LA.

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