A call to action: A consensus statement on knowledge gaps and research priorities on the management of women with early onset type 2 diabetes in the preconception, pregnancy and postnatal periods: A report from the Diabetic Medicine Symposium at the Diabetes UK Annual Professional Conference, 2025

AIMS: Research to inform, co-develop and evaluate optimal care for women with early-onset type 2 diabetes (EOT2D) before, during and after pregnancy is lacking. Informed by patient perspectives and the results of the James Lind Alliance priority-setting partnership in diabetes in pregnancy, we aimed to develop a consensus statement to guide future research efforts to meet the needs of women with EOT2D in the preconception, pregnancy and postnatal periods.

METHODS: Results from three systematic reviews covering interventional, observational and qualitative studies were presented at the Diabetes UK annual professional conference in Glasgow in February 2025. The results were discussed by an expert panel with audience participation.

RESULTS: There is very limited research to guide care for women with EOT2D, especially in the preconception and postnatal periods. In pregnancy, there have been limited studies assessing interventions, mainly encompassing medication and glucose sensor use, but most are small and have limited generalisability. Observational data suggests that managing glycaemia, addressing maternal BMI and preventing excessive gestational weight gain improve outcomes for women with EOT2D in pregnancy. Qualitative data highlight the negative impact of EOT2D on pregnancy and the need for optimised support. Targeted, innovative and cross-cultural studies across the reproductive life course are urgently needed to address the short and longer-term maternal and offspring risks for individuals with EOT2D.

CONCLUSIONS: Given the rising prevalence of EOT2D and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for women with EOT2D and their children, prioritising research in the preconception, pregnancy and postnatal periods is vital to ensure that care needs are met to improve health outcomes for women and their children.