Early surveillance for autoimmune diabetes screening for children

The ELSA (EarLy Surveillance for Autoimmune diabetes) study is screening children for type 1 diabetes. Children aged 3-13 years can have a simple finger stick blood test to find out their risk of developing type 1 diabetes in the future.

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong and serious condition. Around the world, research studies are screening children for type 1 diabetes, so that children at risk of the condition can be found before they become unwell. This gives researchers the opportunity to test new treatments that could delay the start of type 1 diabetes.

The ELSA study is the largest type 1 diabetes screening programme for children currently open to families living in England and Wales.

A parent participant from the ELSA study said: 

"My wife having had type 1 diabetes from her early teens has always been worried that our daughter may also develop the condition which can have a significant impact on her life.  Having this test available to detect if she is at a higher risk of developing diabetes will help to put our mind at ease if she is found to be of low risk or ensure that we are more alert to the symptoms that may develop in life. 

My wife in particular would be relieved if our daughters test shows that she is at a lower risk as this would help relieve some of the stress and worries she has when our daughter is unwell, as without this test she is always thinking, is it diabetes."

Find out how your child can take part in the ELSA study.