{"id":248047,"date":"2026-07-01T11:20:05","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T15:20:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=248047"},"modified":"2026-07-01T11:20:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T15:20:06","slug":"uconn-predicting-risk-of-gestational-diabetes-early-before-it-strikes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2026\/07\/uconn-predicting-risk-of-gestational-diabetes-early-before-it-strikes\/","title":{"rendered":"UConn Predicting Risk of Gestational Diabetes Early, Before it Strikes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maternal-fetal medicine expert Dr. Andrea Shields<\/a> is principal investigator for a UConn School of Medicine clinical trial<\/a> testing the start-up company Miora Health\u2019s non-invasive diagnostic tool\u2019s ability to early detect a pregnant woman\u2019s risk of developing gestational diabetes well before the third trimester.<\/p>\n

The study of the new tool is exploring the relationship between an expectant mother\u2019s microbiome\u2019s gut health and her risk of developing gestational diabetes at less than 20 weeks pregnant.<\/p>\n

Miora Health is a UConn School of Medicine faculty-affiliated startup company in the Technology Incubation Program (TIP) located in Farmington at UConn Health. \u00a0Dr. Yanjiao Zhou<\/a>, an associate professor in the Department of Medicine and OB\/GYN, is a co-founder and CSO of Miora Health.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter 15 years in microbiome research, I am eager to develop microbiome-based tools that can make a real clinical impact. At Miora, we are building a novel microbiome AI platform to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and patient care, helping clinicians identify risk early and guide treatment decisions,\u201d says Zhou.<\/p>\n

\"Microbiome
Microbiome test kits created by the UConn TIP start-up company Miora Health.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The new test works by screening and analyzing two varied stool samples from willing study volunteers during their first or second trimesters who are active OB\/GYN patients at the UConn Health Women\u2019s Center.<\/a> This is done prior to their routine oral glucose tolerance test that occurs typically between pregnancy week 24-28. Women are also asked to complete a food diary and are followed through the end of their second trimester at 28 weeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are trying to see if this non-invasive test can effectively help us identify a predictive, microbiome biomarker for gestational diabetes well before the third trimester,\u201d says Shields sharing this is so important as ten percent of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes by the third trimester.<\/p>\n

\u201cGut health is so important during pregnancy and beyond, and it\u2019s all linked to good nutrition,\u201d stresses Shields of UConn School of Medicine. \u201cThe gut could truly be the window to both our short-term and long-term health.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Shields the earlier the detection of gestational diabetes risk the better, as medical experts like her can quickly plan to intervene with personalized medicine, nutrition enhancements, and exercise regimens to significantly improve both maternal health and fetal outcomes, well before any complications develop.<\/p>\n

\"Dr.
Dr. Shields caring for a pregnant patient at the UConn Health Women’s Center. (UConn Photo)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pregnant women with uncontrolled gestational diabetes are at elevated risk of developing gestational high-blood pressure and preeclampsia, and also as a result may have poorer pregnancy outcomes, pre-term birth, larger babies, delivery complications, and place them at higher-risk of needing a C-section delivery.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have always had a passion for reducing the risks associated with gestational diabetes,\u201d says Shields ever since she began working closely with OB\/GYN patients especially during her residency program training in the U.S. Air Force. \u201cI\u2019m hoping that if we are able to identify gestational diabetes risks early, we can not only improve a mother\u2019s health, but also her entire family\u2019s by helping her introduce at home a healthier food pathway.\u201d<\/p>\n

Preventing or catching gestational diabetes early may be a win-win for both mother and child.<\/p>\n

Shields says teaching healthy lifestyle interventions for gestational diabetes can even help mom and her baby have reduced future health risks both short and long-term including lower risks of developing type 2 diabetes and obesity.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To learn more, review the clinical trial\u2019s flyer<\/a> or contact the study coordinator: Ayana Encarnacion at 860-679-5152 or aencarnacion@uchc.edu<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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