Italy launches national pediatric screening for diabetes and celiac disease

The Italian Ministry of Health has approved a decree to launch a multi-year national screening program for children to detect type 1 diabetes and celiac disease. The program targets children aged 5 to 6, utilizing the existing vaccination schedule to facilitate capillary blood tests.

This initiative aims to prevent ketoacidosis in type 1 diabetes patients and enable early diagnosis of celiac disease. The program will be coordinated by the Ministry of Health and implemented by regional authorities and the autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano. The diagnostic process involves local prevention departments, regional reference laboratories, and clinical centers for follow-up care.

Advocates note that celiac disease is currently significantly underdiagnosed, with official estimates suggesting that roughly half of affected individuals in Italy remain unaware of their condition. Experimental screenings in several regions previously showed a higher prevalence of celiac disease among participating children than expected, highlighting the potential impact of a nationwide rollout.