Pediatric Endocrinology

Our research

The overall purpose of our research is to investigate etiology, prediction, and prevention of pediatric autoimmune diabetes (type 1 diabetes) and other autoimmune diseases. 

Type 1 diabetes is preceded by an immune-mediated destruction of the pancreatic islet beta cells resulting in loss of insulin production. Genetic factors confer susceptibility and help us identify children at risk, while other still undefined factors are needed to trigger the autoimmune process or accelerating beta-cell destruction. The autoimmune process often starts early in life and can be predicted by islet autoantibodies and in late stages by metabolic changes.

Other autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid autoimmune disease, share similarities and often coincide with type 1 diabetes.

Our research is focused on longitudinal studies on etiological triggers or accelerating factors and refined possibilities of prediction as well as clinical studies on primary or secondary prevention. 

Aims

• To analyse immuno-genetic and environmental risk factors for the development of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes.
• To use genetic, immunological and beta cell function tests to predict time to onset of type 1 diabetes.
• To investigate if we can prevent or delay onset of type 1 diabetes by immunomodulating or other agents in primary or secondary prevention studies. 

Impact

Our research aim is to further investigate triggers of type 1 diabetes and predictive measurements, as well as include at risk children in primary or secondary clinical prevention studies. 

The ultimate goal of our research is to give new insights in the etiology and pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases and by primary or secondary prevention reduce morbidity. 

Research output

Link to a list of research output by the group in Lund University’s research portal

Team members

Link to a list of team members in Lund University’s research portal