Over 2,260 babies born at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust have now taken part in a pioneering national research study designed to identify infants at higher genetic risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
The maternity research team at Gateshead Health has successfully enrolled 2,262 babies into the INGR1D2 study to date, making a major contribution to the national effort to prevent the condition before symptoms even appear.
Type 1 diabetes is a condition where the pancreas makes insufficient insulin, a hormone which helps the body use glucose (sugar) for energy. It affects over 9 million people across the world, including 1.5 million children. Around one in every 250 children born in the UK develops type 1 diabetes. There is currently no cure for the condition and it requires daily treatment involving insulin injections to help control blood sugar levels.
The INGR1D2 research study identifies infants at higher genetic risk (one in 10 or more) of developing type 1 diabetes. The research involves an extra test on the blood collected as part of the routine newborn blood spot screening (also known as the ‘heel prick test’) when a baby is around five days old. Because the heel prick test is offered as standard NHS care, no additional needles or blood samples are required.
INGR1D2 is taking place in 18 hospitals across the country, including eight trusts with maternity care across the North East and North Cumbria, such as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead. Over 40,000 newborn babies have now taken part nationally, with 287 identified so far as being in the higher genetic risk group.
Karen Parker, Associate Director of Midwifery at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We are incredibly proud of our maternity research team and so grateful to the 2,262 Gateshead families who have chosen to take part in the INGR1D2 study so far.
“Because the test uses the routine five-day heel prick blood spot, it is completely straightforward for new parents and requires no extra needles for their baby. Taking part gives families valuable early information about their child’s genetic risk that is not currently available through standard NHS screening, while helping researchers work towards preventing type 1 diabetes in future generations.”
Extra monitoring from health specialists
Parents of babies identified as having a higher genetic risk are also offered the opportunity to take part in a follow-up research study, AVAnT1A (AntiViral Action Against Type 1 Autoimmunity). This assesses whether vaccination against COVID-19 from the age of six months can prevent type 1 diabetes from developing.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers found that children who contracted the virus before the age of 18 months were five times more likely to begin developing type 1 diabetes. The vaccine is well-tolerated and approved as safe for this age group. As part of the trial, participants are randomly assigned to two groups: one receives the COVID-19 vaccine, and the other receives a placebo (dummy) injection.
Babies taking part in AVAnT1A receive extra monitoring from childhood diabetes specialists so that, if type 1 diabetes begins to develop, it can be detected and treated as early as possible.
Expectant parents in Gateshead who would like to know more about INGR1D2 and AVAnT1A can speak to their midwife or visit the study website.
Hear from a Newcastle family whose daughter is part of the research.
Notes to editors
- Both studies are funded by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and administered by the Global Platform for the Prevention of Autoimmune Diabetes (GPPAD).
- The incidence of type 1 diabetes is increasing globally. GPPAD provides an international platform focused on research that aims to develop treatments that can stop people from developing type 1 diabetes in the future.
- Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the local families who have contributed to this important national study.