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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
A pediatric diabetes clinic in Louisville has built a comprehensive program to track and support children in the earliest stages of type 1 diabetes. The protocol covers antibody screening, tiered monitoring pathways, multidisciplinary care teams, and referrals for teplizumab (Tzield) therapy. The goal: catch the disease early and intervene before it progresses.
The Norton Children's – Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute in Louisville, Kentucky, has developed a structured, team-based program to monitor children at risk for type 1 diabetes (T1D) — long before they develop symptoms. Presented at the ADCES26 annual meeting, the protocol is built around the 2026 American Diabetes Association Standards of Care and leverages the availability of teplizumab-mzwv (Tzield, Sanofi), the first FDA-approved therapy to delay T1D progression.
Children are screened through routine clinical care or primary care referrals, then placed on one of three monitoring pathways based on antibody results. Those with two or more positive antibodies enter an early T1D program with home self-monitoring, education, and follow-ups every 3–6 months. Kids who progress to stage 3 disease are referred for teplizumab infusion therapy and enrolled in a comprehensive new-onset diabetes program. Education is delivered in "snack-sized" amounts to avoid overwhelming families.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: With disease-modifying therapies now available, early detection of T1D is no longer just informational — it's actionable. Programs like this one offer a replicable model for clinics looking to intervene before children reach symptomatic disease.
