What is the Elsa study investigating for type 1 diabetes?

The Elsa study is assessing the feasibility of screening children for type 1 diabetes using finger-prick blood tests to detect the disease in its earliest stages.

How can early diagnosis of type 1 diabetes help children?

Early diagnosis allows children to access treatments that can delay the need for insulin therapy for several years.

Will NHS clinics be set up for children at risk of type 1 diabetes?

Yes, the study's success is paving the way for NHS pre-diabetes clinics for children identified as at risk or in the early stages of type 1 diabetes.

Home / Health / New Screening Halts T1 Diabetes 'Crash Landings'

New Screening Halts T1 Diabetes 'Crash Landings'

21 Jan

•

Summary

UK to pilot pre-diabetes clinics for children using finger-prick tests.
Study identifies T1 diabetes markers before symptoms appear.
Early detection may delay insulin need for years with new treatments.

New Screening Halts T1 Diabetes 'Crash Landings'

A groundbreaking study in the UK, the Elsa study, has demonstrated the feasibility of screening children for type 1 diabetes using simple finger-prick blood tests. This research could prevent children from being diagnosed during medical emergencies, a situation currently affecting about a quarter of young T1 diabetes patients.

The Elsa study analyzed over 17,000 tests, identifying more than 200 children at risk or with indicative blood markers. This early detection allows for interventions that may delay the need for insulin treatment for years.

Plans are underway to establish NHS pre-diabetes clinics for children. These clinics will support families and educate them about early-stage T1 diabetes. Future access to treatments like teplizumab, approved in the UK last year, could further aid in delaying insulin dependency.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.