Aim of the ELSA Study

The ELSA Study is finding children at high risk of developing type 1 diabetes because the sooner we screen, the sooner we can intervene.

Why get your child tested for type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong and serious condition. Around the world, research studies are screening children for type 1 diabetes, so that we can find children at risk of the condition before they become unwell. This gives us 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 aged 3-13 years in the UK.

What if I do not want to take part in the ELSA study screening programme?

Taking part in the screening programme is entirely voluntary and if you choose not to take part in the screening programme, this will not affect your child’s routine care in anyway. However, parents/guardians can still take part in the ELSA study interview, to tell us your thoughts and concerns about screening for type 1 diabetes. Your views will not be judged or challenged; we really want to hear a wide range of perspectives.