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Updated: May 2, 2026
Electrochemiluminescence Assays for Human Islet Autoantibodies
Published on: March 23, 2018
Neonatal and infant beta cell hormone concentrations in relation to type 1 diabetes risk
Christian Stumpp1, Andreas Beyerlein, Anette-Gabriele Ziegler
1DFG Research Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden, German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Dresden, Germany.
Insights
Changes in beta-cell hormones in infants do not predict islet autoantibody development for type 1 diabetes. However, higher insulin and proinsulin levels in infants of mothers with type 1 diabetes may offer protection against autoantibodies.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Type 1 diabetes onset is preceded by islet autoantibodies.
- Autoantibody seroconversion peaks around age 1 year and is influenced by parental diabetes status.
- The relationship between early beta-cell function and autoantibody development requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if neonatal and infant beta-cell function changes correlate with islet autoantibody seroconversion incidence.
- To explore the influence of maternal and paternal type 1 diabetes on early beta-cell function.
- To determine if early hormonal profiles predict future autoantibody development.
Main Methods:
- Measured insulin, proinsulin, and c-peptide in 103 at-risk infants from birth to 2 years.
- Monitored infants for islet autoantibody seroconversion.
- Compared hormonal concentrations between autoantibody-positive and autoantibody-negative children, and by parental diabetes status.
Main Results:
- Insulin and proinsulin levels were highest at birth, declining by 3 months.
- No significant differences in beta-cell hormone levels or ratios were found between children who developed autoantibodies and those who did not.
- Infants born to mothers with type 1 diabetes had higher birth concentrations of insulin and proinsulin, which persisted for 6 months.
Conclusions:
- Early beta-cell hormone excursions could not be directly linked to islet autoantibody development.
- Higher insulin and proinsulin exposure in neonates of mothers with type 1 diabetes may be associated with a reduced risk of autoantibody seroconversion.
- Further research is needed to understand the protective mechanisms in infants exposed to maternal diabetes.
Abstract:
Type 1 diabetes is preceded by the appearance of islet autoantibodies. Seroconversion to islet autoantibodies is greatest around 1 yr of age and is more frequent in children born to fathers with type 1 diabetes as compared to children born to mothers with type 1 diabetes. Here we asked whether changes in beta-cell function in the neonate and infant reflect variations in the incidence of islet autoantibody seroconversion. Insulin, proinsulin, and c-peptide concentrations were measured in sequential samples taken from birth to age 2 yr in 103 children who had a first degree relative with type 1 diabetes and who had been followed for islet autoantibody seroconversion. Serum insulin and proinsulin concentrations were highest at birth declining by age 3 months and stable thereafter until age 2 yr. C-peptide concentrations, proinsulin/insulin, and proinsulin/c-peptide ratios were stable from age 3 months. No differences were observed between children who developed islet autoantibodies and children who remained islet autoantibody negative. Children born to a mother with type 1 diabetes had higher birth concentrations of insulin (p = 0.005) and proinsulin (p = 0.014) as compared with children of non-diabetic mothers. Increased insulin concentrations in children of type 1 diabetes mothers persisted until age 6 months. In conclusion, we could not relate excursions in beta-cell hormones to autoantibody development, but suggest that the higher exposure to insulin and proinsulin in neonates born to mothers with type 1 diabetes may be linked to the relative protection against islet autoantibody seroconversion observed in these children.
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