EDENT1FI reaches 100,000 children screened for early type 1 diabetes

Why early detection matters

Type 1 diabetes develops when the immune system attacks the cells that make insulin. That process often begins years before any symptoms appear. A simple blood test can detect early type 1 diabetes through islet cell autoantibodies.

Early diagnosis:

• prevents an unexpected and dangerous onset of diabetes,
• allows for close medical follow-up,
• and gives families time to prepare.

A European project with impact

EDENT1FI started in 2023 and is building screening programmes across Europe. New initiatives are running in Czechia, Poland and Portugal among others, and existing programmes in Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden have been expanded.

Prof. dr. Chantal Mathieu (KU Leuven), coordinator of EDENT1FI:

"100,000 children screened is an enormous step forward. With new therapies that can slow the condition down, early detection becomes even more important."

Good news for families in Belgium too

In Flanders, screening will soon be reimbursed for:

• brothers, sisters, parents and children of people with type 1 diabetes,
• people with a high genetic risk,
• and people with an autoimmune condition.

Screening is already available today through UZ Leuven or through the Belgian Diabetes Registry.
Within a few years, screening of all children will also become possible, because 90% of new diagnoses occur in children with no family history.

New therapies underline the importance of early detection

In January 2026 the immunotherapy teplizumab was approved in Europe for children from the age of eight with presymptomatic (stage 2) type 1 diabetes. This approval underlines the importance of early detection through initiatives such as EDENT1FI. Thanks to early detection, families and healthcare providers can consider therapies that may delay the onset of clinical diabetes.

Several clinical studies are also under way into treatments that can slow down or even prevent the development of type 1 diabetes.

About EDENT1FI

EDENT1FI is a collaboration between 27 partners from academic institutions, industry and non-profit organisations in 13 European countries. The project is funded by the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) Joint Undertaking, under grant agreement No 101132379, with additional support from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, Breakthrough T1D, EFPIA and MedTech among others. UK partners receive additional support through the UKRI Guarantee Fund.

EDENT1FI aims to screen a total of 220,000 children and young people in 13 European countries. The project focuses on detecting type 1 diabetes in children and young people before symptoms develop, with the aim of enabling early intervention, refining risk assessment and developing new therapies.

More information: www.edent1fi.eu