Abstract
In the past decade Type II diabetes has increased by 30%, particularly in younger people, including pregnant women (Rosenbloom et al. 1998, 1999). In addition, the use of metformin for treating polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has increased (Knockenhauer et al. 1998). PCOS affects approximately 5% of reproductive age patients. Metformin has been found to improve ovulatory function in insulin-resistant women with PCOS, to reduce first trimester miscarriage (Glueck et al. 2001), and to decrease the progression from impaired glucose tolerance to Type II diabetes mellitus (Inzucchi 2002). Therefore using metformin while breastfeeding is important, although to date no data are available on transfer of metformin into human milk or to the breastfed infant. The aim of this study was to characterize milk/plasma ratio (M/P) and infant dose for metformin in breastfeeding women and determine plasma concentrations and any effects in their infants. The hypothesis is that maternal metformin use is safe for the breastfed infant.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Glueck CJ, Phillips H, Cameron D, Sieve-Smith L, Wang P. Continuing metformin throughout pregnancy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome appears to safely reduce first-trimester spontaneous abortion: a pilot study. Fertil Steril 2000; 175:46–52.
Inzucchi SE. Oral antihyperglycemic therapy for type 2 diabetes: scientific review. JAMA 2002;287:360–372.
Knochenhauer ES, Key TJ, Kahsar-Miller M, Waggoner W, Boots LR, Azziz R. Prevalence of the polycystic ovary syndrome in unselected black and white women of the southeastern United States: a prospective study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998;83:3078–3082.
Rosenbloom AL, House DV, Winter WE. Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in minority youth: research priorities and needs. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 1998;37:143–152.
Rosenbloom AL, Joe JR, Young RS, Winter WE. Emerging epidemic of type 2 diabetes in youth. Diabetes Care 1999;22:345–354.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2004 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this paper
Cite this paper
Hale, T., Kristensen, J., Hackett, L., Kohan, R., Ilett, K. (2004). Transfer of Metformin into Human Milk. In: Pickering, L.K., Morrow, A.L., Ruiz-Palacios, G.M., Schanler, R.J. (eds) Protecting Infants through Human Milk. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 554. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4242-8_58
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4242-8_58
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-3461-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-4242-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive