Project summary
The ELSA Study is screening children to find out their risk of developing type 1 diabetes. The benefits of screening children for type 1 diabetes is that we can stop children from becoming too unwell, by starting treatment sooner. The ELSA Study is testing children for 4 different antibodies (blood markers). As the number of antibodies a child has increases, this increases their risk of developing type 1 diabetes in the future. The ELSA Study is important as the sooner we screen, the sooner we can intervene.
Every family that takes part in the ELSA study is helping us to understand more about type 1 diabetes for children at risk.
For your child to take part in the ELSA Study, you will need to attend one of our ELSA screening events. We will ask you to confirm your child is eligible and ask you to complete a consent form. After this, we will ask you to fill-in a study form to provide your contact details and your child’s demographic details, including your child’s age, sex at birth, ethnicity and relevant medical history. Once this is complete and you have your child’s participant number (which you receive via email) we will collect a small blood drop sample using a finger prick test (similar to a blood glucose test). This sample will then be sent to the University of Birmingham team, who will test for the antibodies and alert you of the result.
Patient Group
- Children aged between 3-13
- Children who do not already have a diabetes diagnosis
Participating areas in SCAS
Events located across Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
How are patients selected for this project?
Parents are invited to register their interest in the study through the ELSA study website when we advertise one of our ELSA events.
Closing date
This study is due to close August 2025.