Groundbreaking Study Paves Way for Type 1 Diabetes Screening in Children

A groundbreaking study has confirmed the use of fingerprint blood tests to detect type 1 diabetes in children before symptoms appear, paving the way for NHS prediabetes clinics for children. The study found that children can be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at its earliest stages, which could lead to a “step change” in diagnosis and treatment.

The Study

The Early Surveillance for Autoimmune Diabetes (Elsa) trial was launched to assess the feasibility of screening in the UK. Children aged three to 13 years without type 1 diabetes were invited to participate, providing a fingerprint blood sample that was tested for antibodies previously found in presymptomatic patients. A total of 17,283 tests were analyzed, and more than 200 children were found to be at risk or to have markers in their blood indicating a risk of type 1 diabetes.

What the Study Means

Up to 400,000 people in the UK have type 1 diabetes, and about a quarter of children with the condition are only diagnosed in an emergency situation. When detected early, children can gain access to treatments that can delay the need for insulin for years. The study’s findings could lead to a significant reduction in the number of children who experience a "crash landing" at diagnosis.

Next Steps

The next phase of the study, Elsa 2, will recruit additional children between the ages of two and 17. This part of the trial will support NHS clinics for four years at each of the 20 trial sites across the UK. The clinics will help support and educate families whose children are identified as being at risk of developing or suffering from early type 1 diabetes. Staff will also be able to help children start insulin treatment, and some young people may have access to a new type of treatment that may help delay the need for insulin treatment.

Impact of the Study

The study’s lead researcher described the findings as a "huge step change" in the diagnosis and treatment of type 1 diabetes in children. With early detection and treatment, children may not require insulin therapy in the long term, and can remain in the "very early stages of type 1 diabetes without the need for insulin". This could have a significant impact on the lives of children with type 1 diabetes, and their families.