Genomic Fingerprint Indicates Children at Risk for Juvenile Diabetes

By Labmedica staff writers
Posted on 23 Apr 2008

A new type of blood test identifies inflammation associated with type 1 diabetes though a unique genomic fingerprint.

The fingerprint is evident years prior to disease onset and will help to identify at-risk children earlier in the disease process. This offers hope for earlier treatment and even delay or prevention of full-blown diabetes.

The discovery that the genomic fingerprint was an indication of pre-diabetes in children was made by a team of investigators at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI, USA). This hospital is one of few in the world that studies the role of genetics in childhood diabetes. The team was led by Martin Hessner, Ph.D., associate professor, Medical College of Wisconsin. The diabetes program at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is one of the largest in the United States, serving more than 1700 children with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and their families.

Whereas diabetes is prevalent in some families, only 10% of newly diagnosed cases occur in families where that history exists.

Related Links:
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin