Families giving birth at Ipswich Hospital can sign up to a research study identifying newborns at a higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
The INGR1D2 study has opened at Ipswich Hospital and families expecting a baby will be offered the opportunity for their newborn to take part.
The study will use the current blood taken during the baby’s newborn blood spot test (previously called the heel prick test) to run another test at the same time. No additional sample will be needed.
Midwives will talk to each family at the hospital about the study and whether they’d like to consent to the additional test being carried out.
Dr Nishi Deole is a consultant in fetal medicine at ESNEFT and the principal investigator for the study at the Trust. He said: “We’re keen for all parents to be a part of the study which can help identify if their newborn is at a higher risk. There’s no additional test required, we will use the sample taken at the blood spot test.
“Babies who are identified as having a higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes will then be contacted and we’ll talk through what this means and provide information and support on how to prepare and help their child.”
All families having their baby at Ipswich Hospital will be asked if they’d like to sign up for the study, but taking part is completely voluntary.
More information about the INGR1D2 study is available by watching a video (or scanning the QR code). The video has been created by the Research Delivery Network (RDN) based in the north east of England who helps support the study. The lead midwife working on the study at ESNEFT is Anneka Burch.
Featured image: Freepik
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