The INGR1D2 study
What is INGR1D2 about?
INGR1D2 - INvestigating Genetic Risk for type 1 Diabetes (2) - is a study that aims to determine the percentage of children with genetic markers that put them at increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes. All maternity units in the North East North Cumbria and one maternity unit in Cambridge are offering parents the chance to involve their babies in this important study.
Type 1 diabetes affects 1 in every 250 children born in the UK every year. Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes glucose levels in the blood to become too high. People with Type 1 diabetes have to take insulin every day to manage their condition. Having Type 1 diabetes can increase the risks of a person developing other conditions. By screening newborns to identify those at higher risk of developing Type 1 Diabetes, the INGR1D2 study offers parents the chance to know more information about the signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes. It also offers parents the chance to get involved in further research aimed at reducing the chance of their baby developing the condition.
Please click the video below to find out more about INGR1D2 and what it involves.
Learn more about Genetic Risk of Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an incorrect response of the immune system to the insulin producing cells (called "beta cells") in the pancreas. As a result of this incorrect response, the beta cells are destroyed, which affects the production of insulin and leads to the onset of type 1 diabetes. Recent studies have shown that in children that have an increased genetic risk of type 1 diabetes, this incorrect immune response often begins in the first months of life. The aim is that by identifying this incorrect immune response as early as possible, we can look at ways of preventing or delaying the onset of type 1 diabetes before the first signs of beta cell destruction appear. Find out more about Type 1 diabetes here.
Infants who take part in the study are genetically tested using blood spots which are routinely collected by the NHS as part of the newborn blood spot test (the 'heel prick' test) taken a few days after birth. No additional blood sample is taken. Please ask your midwife about the blood spot test if you would like to know more about it.
Children who are identified as being at risk are given the opportunity to take part in a type 1 diabetes prevention trial called AVANT1A.
There are certain eligibility criteria that must be met before a baby can take part in INGR1D2 (see below for details).
Cilck here to find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about INGR1D2. More detailed information on what the study involves can be found on the study's Participant Information Sheet .
Who can take part in INGR1D2?
You are eligible to take part in the INGR1D2 study if:
You are over 18 weeks of pregnancy
You plan for your baby/babies to have the ‘newborn blood spot test’ when they are five days old
You are having your baby at one of the participating sites (see here for information about hospitals taking part in this study)
You know whether either (biological) parent has diabetes and the type of diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
You are able to understand the written and verbal English language
How can you take part in the INGR1D2 Study?
You may be asked about the INGR1D2 study during your pregnancy or on the postnatal ward. A member of our research team will provide information and answer all of your questions before you decide if you would like to take part. If you would like to let us know that you are interested in taking part, please contact a member of the research team at your hospital, and they will be happy to give you further information. All the contact details can be found here.
