Experts have previously suggested that neonatal diabetes develops in children under six months of age due to mutations in insulin-producing cells. As the two versions of the disease require different treatments, it is essential that patients receive a proper diagnosis. Rewrites the idea of when diabetes can occur – and can lead to new treatments.
UK and US In, researchers studied 166 children diagnosed with diabetes six months ago who lacked a genetic mutation that could explain their condition. They have found signs that young people have suffered a type of immune attack caused by type 1 diabetes that destroys insulin-producing cells.
Children also had a higher genetic risk of having type 1 and lower insulin production capacity. Dr Matthew Johns of the University of Exeter said: “This study proves that type 1 diabetes can be present in the first few months of life and can start in a small part of infants, even before birth.
“We also found that the diagnosis of diabetes was so low that it was associated with rapid progression to the complete destruction of insulin-producing beta cells.”
It is believed to be the first time that an autoimmune condition caused by a genetic mutation alone has been found in such young children. Researchers have also found that children with this type of very early type 1 diabetes have an average weight loss.
The production of insulin usually begins just before birth and helps the fetus to grow, so research suggests that babies may develop a condition already in the womb.
Dr. of Exeter. Richard Orme also said: “The later stages of this work, where we study the immune system in more detail, will hopefully help explain how early development in type 1 diabetes is possible and whether this insight can open up. To prevent future conditions. Or new ways to treat up. “
The research also involved experts from King’s College London and the Pacific Northwest Research Institute in Seattle, USA. It was co-funded by the Diabetes UK charity.
Its research director, Dr. Elizabeth Robertson said: “These important findings rewrite our understanding of when a condition can occur and when the immune system begins to malfunction. Now we need to piece together how and why type 1 diabetes can develop. Such youth.
“This can also unlock critical insights into the causes of type 1 diabetes in people of all ages in general, and it will be necessary to develop therapies to prevent or prevent this living condition in children.”
The findings were published today in the Journal of Diabetology.
