Pregnancy, Diabetes and Wearable Technology

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Integrated Care for Pregnant Women with Type One Diabetes using Wearable Technology.

  • IRAS ID

    261867

  • Contact name

    Huiru Zheng

  • Contact email

    h.zheng@ulster.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Ulster University

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 8 months, 2 days

  • Research summary

    The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of wearable technologies by pregnant women with Type One diabetes (T1D). The study will involve collecting data from pregnant women who have T1D and are using wearable technologies, such as the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitor and commercially available fitness tracker. Wearable glucose monitors have previously been shown to improve outcomes in pregnancies complicated by diabetes.
    We will use computational analysis to identify statistically significant correlations between insulin, carbohydrate, heart rate, activity and blood glucose data using a Flash glucose monitor and a commercial fitness tracker, over two weeks in each trimester of the pregnancy. The study will last for approximately 18 months. All data collected will be subject to Bayesian and statistical analysis. We hope to increase understanding of the benefits of time spent in the optimal range for blood glucose, which is currently 3.5-7.8mmol/L during pregnancy, specifically among those women using multiple daily injections of insulin.
    A cross-sectional analysis of information collected from wearable technologies using computational approaches may identify the impact of the data generated on pregnancy duration, maternal health in pregnancy, babies' birth-weights and babies' blood-sugar levels.

  • REC name

    North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    20/NE/0193

  • Date of REC Opinion

    15 Sep 2020

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion