Continuous monitoring of glucose as part of antenatal care for women suffering from diabetes improves maternal blood glucose control, lowers birth weight and reduces risk of macrosomia, according to a new study.

Research by staff at Ipswich Hospital in the UK involved 71 women with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes from antenatal clinics around the country.

They were assigned to standard antenatal care - comprising intermittent self-monitoring of glucose levels using the finger prick technique - or intermittent monitoring plus continual glucose assessment.

Glucose values from subcutaneous tissues were measured electronically every ten seconds, giving up to 288 measurements per day.

"The researchers found that women in the continuous glucose monitoring group had lower mean levels of HbA1c from 32 to 36 weeks' gestation and improved blood glucose control during the third trimester, compared to women receiving standard antenatal care," the study explained.

Babies from mothers who underwent continuous monitoring also had reduced macrosomia risk as well as lower birth weight.

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