New Study: Blood Test Detects Early Risk of Diabetes in Children
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| New blood test using lipids helps identify early risk of type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and heart conditions in children. Image Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels |
A recent study conducted by British scientists introduces a new blood test using lipids, which could significantly improve the identification of children at risk for complications related to obesity, including type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and heart conditions.
The research was carried out by scientists at King’s College London and published in Nature Medicine , as reported by EurekAlert. By employing existing plasma testing equipment in hospitals, the researchers suggest that this new approach could enable doctors to detect early signs of disease in children more rapidly and assist them in obtaining appropriate treatment.
Dr. Karolina Sulik, one of the researchers, stated, "Early identification of children at risk of these life-threatening conditions (type 2 diabetes and liver and heart diseases) is crucial. This study provides compelling evidence of the significant need to manage obesity and gives parents the confidence to intervene in their children's lives and help them lose weight."
The findings challenge the common perception that cholesterol is the primary cause of obesity-related complications in children. Instead, the study identifies new lipid molecules that contribute to health risks, such as blood pressure, which are not solely related to a child's weight.
Traditionally, fats were understood as fatty acids in the body, classified as either good or bad cholesterol or triglycerides, the most common type of fat found in the bloodstream. However, recent studies from the same group of scientists suggest a more complex picture.
By utilizing a chemistry-related technique called mass spectrometry, the current evidence places various types of lipids in the body, numbering in the thousands, each with distinct functions.
Blood Lipids
The team evaluated blood lipids by taking a controlled sample from 1,300 children suffering from obesity. Subsequently, 200 of these children were placed on a "HOLBAEK" model for one year, a lifestyle intervention program for individuals with obesity that is popular in Denmark.
Subsequent readings indicated that, within the intervention group, levels of lipids associated with the risk of diabetes and insulin resistance decreased, despite only limited improvements in body mass index (BMI) among some of the children.
Dr. Cristina Lagedo Quigley, head of a research group in Systems Medicine at King’s College London, commented, "For decades, scientists have relied on a classification system for fats that divides them into good and bad cholesterol. However, now, with a simple blood test, we can evaluate a much broader range of lipid molecules that could serve as vital early warning signs of disease. In the future, this may provide a completely new way to assess an individual's risk of illness, and by studying how lipid molecules change in the body, we could even prevent metabolic diseases, such as diabetes altogether."
This innovative blood test has the potential to transform how we identify and manage obesity-related health risks in children. By focusing on the diversity of lipid molecules, researchers are paving the way for more effective prevention strategies and interventions. Continued exploration in this field will not only enhance our understanding of childhood obesity but also promote healthier futures for at-risk children.
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