Continuous glucose monitoring in women with early onset type 2 diabetes in pregnancy

Early-onset type 2 diabetes (EOT2D; onset <40-years) is becoming more common in pregnant women and carries a 20x increased risk of perinatal mortality.

Since EOT2D affects people who are typically under-represented in research, new evidence is urgently needed to guide antenatal care and reduce perinatal mortality risks.

Diabetes technologies, such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), have revolutionised pregnancy care in type 1 diabetes: achieving >70% time-in-range supports healthy pregnancy outcomes. However, there is no evidence for CGM targets to support a healthy pregnancy in EOT2D. Aim: assess the acceptability, predictive capability and lifestyle benefits of CGM in EOT2D in pregnancy.

Objectives: 1: Systematic review/metanalysis of CGM use in EOT2D in pregnancy. 2: Examine social determinants of health and identify targets for glycaemia EOT2D pregnancies, using CGM and lifestyle data from a new observational study. 3: Qualitative assessment of women’s perspectives on CGM use in pregnancy, in ethnically-diverse or socioeconomically deprived groups.

Impact: This project will help to make pregnancy safer for mothers and babies affected by EOT2D.

Learning opportunities: Supported by an excellent multidisciplinary team, the student will gain experience in designing and conducting qualitative and quantitative research studies providing an excellent foundation for a career in research.