Improving gestational diabetes diagnosis using blood tests.
Official title: Glycemic Observation Using A1C for Gestational Diabetes Diagnosis
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11093431 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to make it easier and more accurate to diagnose gestational diabetes in pregnant women by improving how we use blood tests, so expectant moms can have a better experience and get the right care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $681,293 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD104756-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11093431 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who are at risk for gestational diabetes, particularly those screened between 24-28 weeks of gestation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not fall within the at-risk category for gestational diabetes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women by optimizing the use of hemoglobin A1c (A1C) tests. Currently, pregnant women are screened using oral glucose tolerance tests, which can be cumbersome and inconsistent. The study aims to adjust A1C readings to account for changes in red blood cell behavior during pregnancy, thereby improving the accuracy of GDM detection. By leveraging advanced modeling techniques, the research seeks to provide a more reliable method for identifying hyperglycemia in expectant mothers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a simpler and more accurate method for diagnosing gestational diabetes, improving outcomes for mothers and their babies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using adjusted A1C measurements for diabetes diagnosis outside of pregnancy, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Powe, Camille Elise — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Powe, Camille Elise
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Digital twins of the hypothalamus, placenta, and gut to help manage gestational diabetes
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-
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A study in pregnant people looks at how insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins affect gestational diabetes and how a baby grows.
-
STRONG group prenatal care to reduce gestational diabetes in American Samoa
A Yale-led program tests a group prenatal care approach to lower gestational diabetes among pregnant Pacific Islander women in American Samoa.
-
Pancreatic beta cells, oxidative stress, and gestational diabetes
A study is exploring how oxidative stress and changes in pancreatic beta cells during pregnancy may contribute to gestational diabetes and future diabetes risk for both mother and baby.
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NDPP-MAP: A tailored online-hybrid program to reduce long-term health risks after pregnancy with gestational diabetes
A patient-friendly program adapts a proven diabetes prevention approach to help women who had gestational diabetes lower their risk of type 2 diabetes and heart problems.
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In Vivo Look at Placental Blood Flow in Gestational Diabetes
A non-invasive MRI study in pregnant people with gestational diabetes and those without will map how placental blood vessels work and relate to baby outcomes.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.