New Blood Test Could Detect Early Diabetes Risk in Children

A new blood test analyzing lipids may help identify children at risk for obesity-related complications such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and liver issues. Researchers from King’s College London, in a study published in *Nature Medicine*, discovered a link between specific lipids and metabolic diseases in children, which could serve as an early warning system for conditions like liver disease.

By using existing hospital equipment to analyze blood plasma in children, doctors could detect early signs of disease and intervene sooner. The study challenges the belief that cholesterol alone causes obesity-related complications in children, identifying new lipid molecules associated with risks like high blood pressure that aren’t solely tied to weight.

Traditionally, lipids were classified into good and bad cholesterol types, but new research shows the body contains thousands of lipid types, each with unique functions. In a trial of 1,300 children with obesity, those who followed a year-long lifestyle intervention saw reductions in lipids linked to diabetes and insulin resistance, even if their BMI showed little change.

Dr. Cristina Legido-Quigley, the study’s lead author, highlighted the potential of this blood test as an early warning system for metabolic diseases and a new approach to evaluating disease risk. Researchers aim to further explore the genetic impact on lipids and their role in improving health outcomes.