Research into Childhood-Onset Diabetes

This book offers a detailed update on research into diabetes with onset in childhood or adolescence. The coverage ranges from fundamental aspects such as study design and statistical analysis through to new ideas for research, the latest research findings, and implications of these findings for clinical care in childhood. Examples of topics addressed in this context include the prevention of diabetic complications, management of micro- and macrovascular complications, the roles of nutrition and exercise, insulin therapy, islet transplantation, and risky behaviors in teenagers. Attention is also focused on the latest technologies, including the artificial pancreas and continuous glucose monitoring, and associated regulatory aspects. The reader will find novel insights into the ways in which research is impacting on clinical management as well as advice on methodology and stimulating ideas on future research areas. The book is based on presentations delivered at the 15th ISPAD (International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes) Research School for Physicians, held in Milan. It will be of interest for all diabetologists, pediatricians, dietitians, biomedical engineers, nurses, and students.

Andrea E. Scaramuzza is a pediatric diabetologist who works at Luigi Sacco Hospital, University of Milan,  Italy, where he is the Head of Pediatric Diabetology, Metabolic Diseases and Nutrition Unit of the Department of Pediatrics. His work is focused mostly on type 1 diabetes and its management, and he has a particular interest in insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring, micro- and macrovascular complication screening, and prevention and exercise. He is also a lecturer in Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of Milan. He leads a highly motivated group of young physicians, nurses, dietitians, and psychologists, all of whom are devoted to management of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents. He is the author of more than 60 papers published in high-impact factor international journals and is the editor and/or reviewer of several journals.

Carine de Beaufort is a research associate at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg (Belval, Luxembourg). After gaining her medical degree and doctorate from the University of Rotterdam, she completed specialization as a pediatrician and then as a pediatric endocrinologist and diabetologist. Upon arrival in Luxembourg, she participated in the creation of a multidisciplinary team (DECCP) for the treatment of children and adolescents with diabetes. Her recent research has focused on the pathophysiology of diabetes (types 1 and 2). She has published more than 80 publications in peer-reviewed journals, as well as several book chapters. In 2012 and 2014 she was Secretary-General of ISPAD (International Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetology).

Ragnar Hanas is a Consultant Pediatrician at Uddevalla Hospital in Sweden and is renowned for his work with children and adolescents with diabetes. He has served as Secretary General of ISPAD and was co-editor of the 2009 ISPAD Clinical Practice Guidelines.  He is author of books on Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and of several papers.