New Research Explains Severe Diabetes in Children

Published: 13 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Researchers have uncovered why type 1 diabetes tends to be more severe in young children. The autoimmune disease occurs when the body attacks the pancreas cells responsible for controlling blood sugar levels.

A study found that in children, particularly those under seven, the pancreas is still developing, leaving its beta cells more vulnerable to damage. These cells, which produce insulin, exist in smaller clusters in young children. When the immune system attacks them, they are destroyed before maturing into larger, more resilient islets of Langerhans, which can better withstand autoimmune damage. In older children and adults, the mature islets are more robust, allowing for some insulin production and a less aggressive progression of the disease.

The findings, published in Science Advances, suggest that new immunotherapy drugs could delay the onset of type 1 diabetes, giving beta cells time to mature and potentially reducing disease severity. Teplizumab, an immunotherapy licensed in the UK, can stop the immune attack on beta cells, though it is not yet available on the NHS.

The study also offers hope for early screening and preventive treatments for children at risk. Dr. Sarah Richardson of the University of Exeter called the research “a significant finding,” emphasizing that the future looks brighter for children diagnosed with type 1 today.

Personal stories highlight the urgency of this research. Gracie Nye, eight, from Merseyside, was diagnosed after a rapid onset of symptoms in 2018. Her family had to quickly adapt to managing her blood sugar and insulin treatment, but with a glucose monitor and insulin pump, she is now thriving. Her father describes her as “bossing diabetes” and a “superstar.”

The research is part of the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge, supported by the Steve Morgan Foundation, Diabetes UK, and Breakthrough T1D. Experts believe these insights could pave the way for treatments that slow or prevent the disease in children, potentially extending insulin-free years and improving quality of life.

Rachel Connor from Breakthrough T1D noted that the study fills a missing piece of the puzzle in understanding the faster progression of type 1 in children, while Dr. Elizabeth Robertson of Diabetes UK emphasized the potential for immunotherapies to transform care for young patients.