The goal of this study is to find out if pregnant individuals with preterm preeclampsia (PE) who are treated with metformin can stay pregnant for longer, and if this is safe(r) for the mother and child. Preterm PE affects about 1 in 100 pregnant individuals in the Netherlands. Signs of preterm PE can be high blood pressure and protein in the urine in the second half of pregnancy (but before 32-34 weeks of pregnancy). Other symptoms can develop, such as problems with blood clotting and how well the blood cells, liver, lungs, and brain work. The disease can lead to serious complications for both the mother and child. The only way to cure preterm PE is to make sure the child is born, and many times, children have to be delivered (very) early (before 37 weeks). Children born (very) early can suffer from infections, breathing difficulties, and problems in their development.
Metformin is a medicine used to treat high blood sugar during and outside of pregnancy. In a previous study in South Africa, women with preterm PE that used metformin were able to safely remain pregnant for an extra week. Similarly, the main goal of the Preeclampsia Intervention NetherLands (PI-NL) study is to see if patients with preterm PE in the Netherlands that use metformin can remain pregnant for a longer time than patients taking a placebo. A placebo is a look-a-like capsule that contains no active ingredients. Researchers, the treating medical team, and participants will not know which participant gets which treatment. In addition, all participants will receive the standard care that all preterm PE patients get.
Aged 18 years or older
Singleton pregnancy
Gestational age between 23+0 and 31+6 weeks
A diagnosis of preterm preeclampsia, defined according to modified International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (ISSHP) classification, including only those who have proteinuria (≥300 mg of protein in a 24-hour urine specimen or a protein-creatinine-ratio >50 in a single urine sample)
Current use of metformin or a clinical indication for the use of metformin
A decision for immediate delivery (including cases where corticosteroids are administered with planned delivery directly after completion of treatment) or termination of pregnancy (e.g., due to disease severity in the patient combined with a dismal prognosis for the fetus), as made by the treating multidisciplinary team and the parent(s)
Contraindication(s) for the use of metformin (e.g., severe renal insufficiency, acute metabolic acidosis, severe liver insufficiency)
Use of drugs that might interact with metformin
Parallel
Metformin Hydrochloride
DrugMetformin Hydrochloride encapsulated immediate-release tablet of 500 mg, backfilled with cellulose.
Placebo
DrugCapsule filled with cellulose.
Number of days between randomization and delivery
Prolongation of gestation
Number of participants reaching a composite maternal adverse outcome
Combined endpoint of maternal death (during pregnancy or within 42 days postpartum), eclampsia, pulmonary edema, severe renal impairment, cerebrovascular accident, placental abruption, and/or liver hematoma or rupture.
Number of participants reaching a composite fetal adverse outcome
Combined endpoint of intrauterine fetal demise, suboptimal fetal condition based on CTG, and fetal growth restriction.
Number of participants reaching a composite neonatal adverse outcome
Combined endpoint of neonatal death (within 28 days after birth), grade 3 or 4 intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment, necrotizing enterocolitis (grade II or higher), bronchopulmonary dysplasia, neonatal sepsis, and cystic periventricular leukomalacia (grade II or higher)
Maternal individual exploratory outcomes
Number of participants experiencing each of the following: maternal death, cerebrovascular event, eclampsia, cortical blindness, pulmonary edema, AKI, liver hematoma/rupture, placental abruption, retinal detachment, postpartum hemorrhage, HELLP syndrome, severe elevated liver enzymes, low platelets, left ventricular heart failure, PRES, DIC, thromboembolic disease, need for dialysis due to renal failure, admission to high or ICU, need for intubation and mechanical ventilation
Fetal individual exploratory outcomes
Number of participants experiencing each of the following: intrauterine or intrapartum fetal death, reversed end diastolic flow in umbilical artery on at least 2 occasions, redistribution in the middle cerebral artery, absent or reversed a-wave in ductus venosus, suboptimal fetal condition based on CTG.
Neonatal individual exploratory outcomes
Number of participants experiencing each of the following: neonatal death within 28 days after birth, neonatal death between 29 and 90 days after birth, growth restriction at birth, Apgar score \< 7 at 5 min, umbilical artery pH \< 7.10, neonatal hypoglycemia, neonatal seizures, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of the premature, pulmonary insufficiency of the preterm infant, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic periventricular leukomalacia, patent ductus arteriosus, persistent pulmonary hypertension, surfactant use within 72 hours after birth, need for respiratory support, admission to NICU.
Mean neonatal birthweight
In grams
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Amsterdam UMC
Lead sponsor
ZonMw: The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development
Collaborator
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