A project to predict the risk of apparition of diabetes during pregnancy is open to financing through crowdfunding. The "Accelerate" initiative, from the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FEYCT) (Science and Innovation Ministry), allows collaboration by means of donations with the University of Oviedo's research staff to develop and validate a prediction tool, based on epigenetic markers and on lifestyle variables (diet, physical activity), by means of the use of artificial intelligence techniques. In this way, lifestyle modifications will be able to be introduced as soon as possible and protect both the mother and the foetus.

Gestational diabetes, which affects 7-15% of pregnancies, is characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood during pregnancy in previously healthy women that can imply important metabolic complications for the mother and for the baby, both in the short and long term.

Currently, the diagnosis of this illness is performed between weeks 24 and 28 of the pregnancy period, when the pathology is already established, and the treatments or lifestyle modification are carried out in the advanced stages of the illness. That's why an early or precocious identification of the risk of gestational diabetes is necessary, which allows you to act as soon as possible on the lifestyle (diet, physical activity), with the objective of stopping the progression of the disease and minimize the adverse consequences for the mother and foetus.

Specifically, mothers have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes in subsequent years to the pregnancy, whilst the recently born have more probability of suffering complications such as an excessive weight when born or being premature, as well as a greater risk of obesity and resistance to insulin in subsequent years. Amongst the risk factors that predispose to the development of gestational diabetes, those related to lifestyle have special relevance, mainly being sedentary and having a bad diet.

The epigenetic markers in which the research team will concentrate are the so called microRNA, which appear circulating in the blood and that are shared by the mother and foetus through the haematoplacentary barrier. These markers have great value for the early prediction of the risk of gestational diabetes, since they are systematically modified in women that subsequently develop gestational diabetes before the clinical changes in blood glucose levels can be detected.

The minimum objective is 5,000 euros and the optimum is 30,000 euros. The minimum amount aims to cover the cost of consumables, mainly laboratory reactants with which to be able to start to perform the experiments for the study of microRNA circulating in blood samples collected during the pregnancy routine inspection. If the optimum amount is reached, the money will furthermore be invested in the hiring of a full-time researcher for one year so that s/he can dedicate her/himself exclusively to this research project.

This proposal arises from the Research Group "Transfer Interventions for Health" (ITS) of the University of Oviedo, integrated in the Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA). The Group promotes and coordinates the Sport Science Research Network "in motu salus", under the protection of the Higher Sports' Council, which integrates most important research groups in the country in the study of the physiological and molecular response to exercise.

This project is carried out in collaboration with the Gynaecology and Midwifery Service and the Endocrinology and Nutrition Service of the Asturias Central University Hospital (HUCA), which will allow the study to be performed with women subjected to inspections during their pregnancy in this hospital.