Diabetes Drug May Help Prevent Preeclampsia In Pregnant Women

First Posted: Dec 23, 2015 11:22 PM EST
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A new diabetes drug could help prevent preeclampsia, according to a recent study.

Researchers at the University of Melbourne found that the drug, otherwise known as Glucophage, decreases the risk of toxins from the placenta into the mother's bloodstream, which could also help heal blood vessels.

"If metformin proves to decrease the burden of preeclampsia, it could save the lives of many mothers and babies globally," said Stephen Tong a professor at the University of Melbourne, in a news release.

Researchers used lab experiments to test the secretion from the placenta and the effects of metformin on the secretions. Findings showed that it helped prevent secretions, as well as improved dysfunction in blood vessels.

The drug is also off patent, which means it could be used in poor countries where most deaths from the pre-eclampsia occur. 

"It's very cheap and it's a tablet so you don't need a fridge to store it, which means it could be the perfect drug for the third world," said lead study author Dr Fiona Brownfoot.

Statistics show that preeclampsia, a potentially dangerous condition that can pose a health risk to both the mother and baby, kills 60,000 mothers and babies each year around the world and affects 3 to 8 percent of all pregnancies, according to the Preeclampsia Foundation.

The study is published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

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