A simple finger-prick blood test could help identify thousands of children at risk of developing type 1 diabetes, allowing for early intervention and potentially delaying the onset of the condition.
Researchers from the ELSA (Early Surveillance for Autoimmune Diabetes) study, funded by diabetes charities, have already screened over 17,000 children aged 3 to 13 across the UK. The study found that 75 children had one autoantibody, signalling an increased future risk of type 1 diabetes, while 160 had two or more autoantibodies but did not yet require insulin therapy, indicating early-stage type 1 diabetes. Crucially, 7 children were found to have undiagnosed type 1 diabetes, all of whom needed to start insulin immediately.
12-year-old Imogen, from the West Midlands, is one of the children who benefited from the screening. Her mother, Amy, says that knowing Imogen’s condition in advance has made a “massive difference” to their confidence and peace of mind. Imogen is now being given an immunotherapy drug called teplizumab, which has been shown to delay the onset of diabetes by around three years on average.
Dr. Elizabeth Robertson from Diabetes UK emphasised the importance of early detection, stating that for too many families, a child’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis still comes as a “frightening emergency.” She believes the new screening tools can give families precious time to prepare and access treatments that can delay the need for insulin for years.
The next phase of the ELSA study will expand the screening offer to children aged 2 to 17, with the finger-prick test available at home, in schools, or at GP surgeries. Several other countries, including Italy, have already introduced diabetes screening for children, and the UK government will now consider whether to follow suit based on the findings of studies like ELSA.
Early detection of type 1 diabetes is crucial, as it can help avoid the life-threatening complication of diabetic ketoacidosis, which requires urgent hospital treatment. With this new screening programme, thousands of children could receive the support and care they need to manage their condition effectively and avoid the worst-case scenarios.
