Towards inclusive and precision treatment of gestational diabetes and improved maternal and offspring health with a digital platform

Purpose and aim: Gestational diabetes (GDM) is an increasing public health problem. Also, the prevalence is higher among foreign-born women.

This project aims to improve self-management and treatment of GDM through moving towards new, inclusive and precision GDM treatment.Methods: We will disentangle health disparities in GDM care (Work Package, WP1, registry study) and co-create a digital multilingual precision intervention (SPARK2.0) with the target group and healthcare providers (WP2).

In WP3, the effectiveness and implementation of the intervention are then evaluated (hybrid type 2; RCT).

Outcomes include glycaemic control (primary outcome), as well as dietary habits, physical activity, and weight gain at weeks 37-38 (secondary outcomes), adverse pregnancy outcomes, and maternal cardiometabolic risk factors up to 3-years postpartum.Project organisation: The project is led by the main applicant with 15-years of research experience in digital health and carried out through a unique collaboration with researchers in obstetrics, qualitative methodology, machine learning and implementation science and maternal health care.Time plan: WP1, WP2: completed in 2025-2026 with publications; WP3: main results available in 2028 and follow-ups completed 2029.

Relevance:  If effective, SPARK2.0 has great potential to be implemented within Swedish maternal health care to improve treatment and self-management of GDM and prevent adverse maternal and offspring health outcomes among all.