New Research Shows Continuous Glucose Monitoring Works Well During Pregnancy With Diabetes

When diabetes develops or exists during pregnancy, tight control of blood sugar levels becomes especially important. High maternal glucose levels can increase risks of complications like fetal macrosomia (a baby growing larger than typical) and preterm birth. For this reason, pregnant women with diabetes—whether gestational, Type 1, or Type 2—need reliable ways to track their glucose throughout the day and night.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which develops during pregnancy, accounts for the vast majority of diabetes cases in pregnant women. Continuous glucose monitoring systems offer a potential advantage over fingerstick testing alone by providing frequent, real-time glucose readings.

Researchers conducted a multicenter, open-label trial involving 60 pregnant women. The majority (95%) had gestational diabetes, with smaller numbers having Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Each participant wore two identical CGM sensors simultaneously—one on each upper arm—for up to 15 days.

The team compared CGM readings to reference blood glucose values measured in a laboratory using a standard analyzer. They analyzed nearly 2,900 matched pairs of CGM readings and blood samples to evaluate accuracy.

The CGM system demonstrated strong accuracy. When comparing CGM readings to laboratory measurements, the system agreed within 20% of the reference value more than 96% of the time—a high standard in glucose monitoring. Results were consistent between the left arm (96.6% agreement) and right arm (96.8% agreement), suggesting the location of the sensor did not affect performance.

The mean absolute relative difference (MARD)—a measure of average deviation from reference values—was approximately 7.7% for both arms. This low error rate indicates the system provided stable, reliable glucose readings over the two-week period.

Researchers also assessed safety and usability, and the system performed well on both measures.

This trial adds evidence that factory-calibrated CGM systems can be a dependable option for glucose monitoring during pregnancy. Accurate, consistent glucose tracking may help pregnant women and their care teams make better decisions about diet, activity, and other aspects of diabetes management during this critical time.

As with any new tool or technology, decisions about whether to use CGM should be made in conversation with your healthcare provider, who understands your individual needs and circumstances.

Source: Journal of diabetes science and technology. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.