Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy when hormones make it harder for the body to use insulin. It affects about 6-9% of pregnancies in the United States. Most women manage it with diet changes and blood sugar monitoring, though some need insulin or oral medications. Blood sugar typically returns to normal after delivery, but the condition raises future diabetes risk.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing metformin and glyburide as alternatives to insulin, studying whether continuous glucose monitors improve outcomes, and examining long-term health effects for both mothers and children. Researchers are also investigating whether early screening in high-risk women, postpartum interventions, and lifestyle programs can prevent progression to type 2 diabetes.
Continuous glucose monitoring
Trials are testing whether wearing a sensor that tracks blood sugar continuously leads to better control than finger-stick testing. Some studies suggest it reduces high blood sugar episodes and may improve birth outcomes.
Postpartum diabetes prevention
Studies are following women after delivery to test whether lifestyle coaching, metformin, or breastfeeding support can prevent type 2 diabetes. About half of women with gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes within ten years.
Oral medications vs insulin
Metformin and glyburide pills are being compared to insulin injections in multiple trials. Some evidence suggests metformin may work as well as insulin for many women, with fewer injections and lower cost.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on gestational age at diagnosis, blood sugar levels, whether you're already using insulin, and sometimes body mass index or other health conditions.
What types of trials are currently open
- Medication trials — Comparing metformin, glyburide, or newer diabetes pills to insulin for blood sugar control during pregnancy.
- Technology trials — Testing continuous glucose monitors, smartphone apps, and telemedicine to help women track and manage blood sugar.
- Prevention trials — Testing lifestyle programs, medications, or other interventions after delivery to prevent type 2 diabetes.
- Diet and exercise studies — Comparing different meal plans, exercise programs, or combinations to see what works best for blood sugar control.
- Long-term follow-up studies — Tracking mothers and children for years after pregnancy to understand lasting health effects and diabetes risk.
Recently added Gestational Diabetes trials
Test how your pancreas changes during pregnancy
The purpose of this research is to understand how the function of the human pancreas changes during and after pregnancy.
Take one of two diabetes pills to control blood sugar during pregnancy
The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to compare metformin and glyburide for controlling blood sugar in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) who require treatment with oral medication. The main question the study aims to answer is: Q: Is treatment failure less common with metformin or glyburide in pregnant women with GDM? The study will include 92 pregnant women aged 18-45 years with a singleton pregnancy, diagnosed with GDM between 13 and 33 weeks of pregnancy and requiring medication to control blood sugar. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. Participants in the metformin group will receive metformin, starting at 850 mg once daily and increased to a maximum of 2,550 mg per day according to their blood sugar levels. Participants in the glyburide group will receive glyburide, starting at 2.5 mg twice daily and increased according to their blood sugar levels, up to a maximum of 20 mg per day. Blood glucose levels will be monitored regularly using a glucometer. Treatment will be considered successful when at least 80% of the recorded blood glucose measurements are within the target range. Treatment failure will be defined as fewer than 80% of blood glucose measurements being within the target range after up to 4 weeks of treatment. Participants who have treatment failure or cannot continue the assigned medication because of adverse effects will be switched to insulin therapy. Participants will be followed during pregnancy until delivery. The study will record treatment failure as the primary outcome and will also assess maternal outcomes, including preeclampsia, polyhydramnios, and preterm delivery, as well as newborn outcomes including macrosomia and the need for admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The study will determine whether metformin or glyburide provides better blood sugar control and reduces the need to switch to insulin in pregnant women with gestational diabetes.
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