Pediatric screening: a single-drop blood test detects children's risk

Pediatric screening: what families need to know

Italy is rolling out a pediatric screening program designed to detect early risk signs of type 1 diabetes and celiac disease. The screening uses a small blood-drop sample and can reveal risk markers years before clinical symptoms appear.

Findings from the D1CeScreen pilot

The D1CeScreen pilot, coordinated by the National Institute of Health with pediatric health partners, involved more than 5,000 children. Early results show:

• 0.97% positivity for markers linked to type 1 diabetes;
• 2.8% positivity for indicators associated with celiac disease.

These findings suggest the screening can help prevent sudden onset crises and enable safe early monitoring.

Why it matters for families

• Early detection lowers the risk of acute complications.
• It allows planning of customized follow-up and care paths.
• The screening is intended to be systematic and free, per law 130/2023.

What parents should do

If you want your child to participate or need practical information, follow these steps:

• Contact your pediatrician or regional health service to learn how to join the program locally.
• Ask about timing, sample collection procedures, and data privacy protections.
• If the test is positive, the pediatrician will recommend diagnostic follow-up and early monitoring.

Practical tips

Before the test, have your child’s health records available and inform the pediatrician of any symptoms or family history of diabetes or celiac disease. Remember the screening is not a final diagnosis but a prevention tool that triggers further evaluation when needed.

Article date: April 17, 2026