Type 1 diabetes is a serious and lifelong autoimmune condition which affects almost 9,000 people in Northern Ireland.
The programme, which aims to identify those at high risk of developing type 1 diabetes in the future, has been described as the first of its kind for the UK.
Home testing kits are now available to families throughout Northern Ireland. Around one in 100 children will require follow-up venous blood testing, available at the Southern Health And Social Care Trust. The testing looks for markers in the blood, called autoantibodies - tools used by the immune system to earmark insulin-producing cells for destruction.
Children found to be at high risk through Elsa could be invited to take part in research testing these treatments. "He also has autism and screening would allow us to plan in the case of a diabetes diagnosis and management, given the extra challenges his sensory issues may cause.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Red flag symptoms of type 2 diabetes on your nails and when to seek helpThere are various tell-tale signs of type 2 diabetes that people should look out for, including some on your nails that could be warning symptoms - such as changes in colour and thickness.
Read more »
Northern Ireland teacher pay rise 'unaffordable' given budget cutsUnlike their GB counterparts, Northern Ireland teachers have not had a pay rise for nearly three years.
Read more »
Brexit deal: How could Labour change things for Northern Ireland?The DUP leader says Labour's ideas could ease difficulties - but what might those ideas be?
Read more »
Northern Ireland woman's husband speaks of loss after her death after foreign surgeryOne woman described how two spoonfuls of chicken noodle soup left her in intensive care shortly after returning from a gastric sleeve operation in Turkey.
Read more »
Paul Smyth stars as Northern Ireland see off San MarinoJosh Magennis and Conor McMenamin were also on target.
Read more »
Paul Smyth stars as Northern Ireland see off San MarinoJosh Magennis and Conor McMenamin were also on target.
Read more »