Hoosier Moms Study

David M. Haas, MD

Robert A. Munsick Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology

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Kay Connelly, PhD

Associate Dean for Research, Indiana University School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering

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Jake Lazarus

Program Manager, IUSM Precision Health Initiative

Helping Hoosier Moms Stay Healthy

The goals of the Hoosier Moms Study are to discover the causes of diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) and stop its transition into Type 2 diabetes. The researchers are also investigating the effectiveness of personalized treatment and prevention strategies.

This program has two distinct phases. The first one is focused on women who are currently pregnant. The second involves women who have had children and were previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

The project is part of the IU Precision Health Initiative, a $120 million program which aims to improve health outcomes by better understanding the genetic, behavioral and environmental factors that influence a person's health.

Phase I

The first phase of this program focuses on women who are currently pregnant, to better understand the risks that could lead to a gestational diabetes diagnosis. Women who participate in the study start when they are less than 20 weeks pregnant. Researchers look at many factors -- like socio-economic conditions, genetic information, demographics and more -- to try to get a better idea of the environment for Indiana moms as a whole.

The process consists of a screening visit and two follow-up visits throughout the pregnancy. It also includes two follow-up visits in the two years after giving birth. This observational study has minimal risk and is of no cost to participants. Women who participate will receive a 3D ultrasound of their baby and a wearable activity tracker, as well as reimbursement for time and travel to receive services.

Another part of the first phase incorporates a nationwide study, called nuMoM2b (pronounced "New Mom To Be"), which stands for Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcome Study: Monitoring Our Mothers To Be. That study, which David Haas, MD, was involved with, collected samples from 10,000 pregnant women from around the country, but was not specifically looking for risk factors of gestational diabetes. Researchers in Bloomington are analyzing those genetic samples and seeing how they can be incorporated with the Hoosier Moms Study.

Phase I has been going on since 2018. The goal for this part is to study 500 pregnant Hoosier women. More than 100 people have joined the study so far. Moms can still sign up to be part of this study.

Phase II

The second phase of this program focuses on prevention. Researchers are finding women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes in the past (but have already given birth) and trying to understand how to prevent them from transitioning to Type 2 diabetes. They do this by creating personalized treatment options, such as Weight Watchers or providing a nutrition coach at no cost to the patient.

Phase II started in July 2019. The goal for this part is to study 150 Hoosier moms. Women can still sign up to be part of this study.

Next steps

The Hoosier Moms Study is established in Indianapolis and working to develop satellite locations in Evansville, Bloomington and Fort Wayne. As participants in Phase I deliver their babies, those who develop gestational diabetes will be invited to participate in Phase II of the study.

Why this research is important

Even though diabetes has been a hot topic in medical research over the last few years, there has been little focus on gestational diabetes. Researchers are still working to understand what causes the transition from gestational diabetes to Type 2 diabetes.

Only 4% of all pregnant women develop gestational diabetes, but more than half of the women who develop it will go on to be diagnosed later in life with Type 2 diabetes. According to the CDC, Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90-95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes, which is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.