NEW guidance for Scotland recommends that all pregnant women with type 1 diabetes be offered a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) device.
A continuous glucose monitor is a small device worn just under your skin that measures glucose levels throughout the day and night, alerting pregnant women to trends in highs and lows.
The advice is published by the Scottish Health Technologies Group, which is part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
It says a report found that CGM devices were found to be effective and good value for money, with evidence suggesting they reduce the need for and duration of neonatal intensive care, compared with self-monitoring of blood glucose.
Although the use of CGM has been supported by the Scottish Government since 2017, it is estimated that only 5-10% of pregnant women with type 1 diabetes in Scotland currently use it.
It is expected that the new advice, said to be based on the most up-to-date evidence, will increase the uptake within NHS boards in Scotland, and encourage more pregnant women to embrace the technology.
The use of CGM makes it easier for pregnant women to manage their glucose levels compared with self-monitoring, the report says.
Iain Robertson, chair of the Scottish Health Technologies Group, said: “We know that the number of pregnant women with type 1 diabetes is gradually rising, so it’s important that we provide them with the best support available to ensure that they stay safe throughout their pregnancy. We would encourage all pregnant women with type 1 diabetes to consider the clear health benefits that continuous glucose monitoring devices bring.”
Professor Brian Kennon, consultant in diabetes and endocrinology at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow and chair of the Scottish Diabetes Group, added: “We are delighted that the positive findings provide further support for the use of CGM in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes. This is good news for pregnant women with type 1 diabetes as it will help with access to technologies which have been shown to improve the outcomes for them and their babies.
“Timely access to technologies and improving the care and outcomes of type 1 diabetes and pregnancy are key priority areas within Scotland’s diabetes improvement plan.”
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