An 11-year-old says he is “really happy to take part in research” into diabetes by being included in a trial which will help others.
Logan Smith, a student at Smithdon High School in Hunstanton, is one of the thousands of children aged between three and 13 involved in the ELSA study, which will see national screening for type one diabetes.
Logan decided to engage in the study when his mum got an invitation through the school, saying that he thinks it’s “really important to get tested”.
Logan Smith from Smithdon High School in Hunstanton is taking part in the trial
In his spare time, Logan enjoys gaming and seeing his friends.
Logan said: “It was really easy taking part and the people were really nice to me. I'm really happy to be involved in research because in the future I can help people by having this test.”
His mum Alison added: “I was very happy for Logan to take part as I think that screening tests are a good thing for children to have.”
The ELSA study hopes to find children at risk of developing type one diabetes, so they can be monitored and supported, reducing the risk of them becoming seriously unwell at diagnosis.
This also gives the opportunity to test new treatments that could delay the start of the condition.
The study is being funded by Diabetes UK and Breakthrough T1D and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the research partner of the NHS, public health and social care.
Norfolk as a county has one of the largest populations of children and young people living with type one diabetes.
Dr Helen Macdonald, network director at the NIHR East of England Regional Research Delivery Network, said: “We are thankful for people like Logan who take part in research, as they are helping us to understand more about the development of type one diabetes in children.
“The NIHR is delivering research in schools to help ensure that research can reach children and young people and help shape their future health and wellbeing.”
Type one diabetes is a serious condition where the body cannot make a hormone called insulin. This causes the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood to get too high. Insulin helps the body use glucose for energy.
People with type one diabetes need to take insulin every day via injections or insulin pumps to stay alive. Managing blood sugar levels is important in reducing the risk of short-term and long-term health problems, known as diabetes complications.
Although it’s often diagnosed in childhood, a type 1 diabetes diagnosis can happen at any age.
The NIHR community research team in the East of England are holding ELSA screening clinics at schools and pharmacies across the region.