Areas of Research Diabetes and Endocrinology
Vision
The Texas Children's Hospital Diabetes and Endocrine Research Program is dedicated to leading cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research to prevent diabetes and endocrine disorders and improve the life and well-being of all youth affected with these diseases.
Mission
Our mission is to be at the forefront of advancing scientific knowledge and treatment of endocrine and diabetes disorders through basic, clinical and behavioral research. We are committed to making research accessible to all youth, from birth to young adulthood.
Overview of our Research Efforts
During 2023, Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Division members published 46 articles in peer-reviewed journals, delivered 58 extra-mural presentations, and had 90 IRB-approved research protocols, 37 active studies, and $1,734,00 in research funding.
As part of The Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Program at Baylor College of Medicine, our teaching partner, we strive to be at the forefront of medical research in these areas:
- Understanding how type 1 and type 2 diabetes develop in children
- Prevention and treatment of type 1 diabetes in children
- Prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes in children
- Improving outcomes of diabetes care in children by medical treatments, diabetes technologies and behavioral interventions
- Understanding other forms of diabetes in children and developing individualized treatment strategies for them
- Understanding obesity in children and developing new therapeutics
- Disorders of sex development:
- Diagnosis, treatment, genetics and psychological factors in disorders of sexual development
- Developing practice guidelines for sexual differentiation disorders
- New treatment approaches for various endocrine conditions such as Prader-Willi Syndrome and endocrinopathies in cancer survivors
- Thyroid cancer in children
- By teaming up with Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet and other leading studies, we're making strides in understanding how type 1 diabetes develops in those at risk, enhancing our knowledge to prevent type 1 diabetes and its progression after diagnosis to ultimately provide better care and management for children and adolescents.
- Partnering with industry innovators and funders, our research is driving forward advancements in type 1 diabetes technology, enhancing care and quality of life for children and adolescents with the condition.
- In collaboration with Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents & Youth (TODAY) and other esteemed research endeavors, our research is propelling forward the field of pediatric type 2 diabetes, bringing us closer to effective treatments and management strategies for young individuals.
- By joining forces with the Rare and Atypical Diabetes Network (RADIANT) and other pioneering studies, we're delving into rare and atypical forms of diabetes, laying the groundwork for personalized precision medicine that suits everyone’s unique needs.
- Leveraging the diversity of our patient community in the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area, our research is shedding light on how race, ethnicity and ancestry impact pediatric diabetes, guiding more inclusive and effective care.
- Our research findings are pivotal in expanding our understanding of pediatric obesity, with a focus on developing impactful medical treatments for affected youth. Our goal is to provide effective solutions that positively impact the health and well-being of children and adolescents struggling with obesity.
- We collaborate with our colleagues in the Psychology division in improving behavioral health in children with diabetes and other endocrine diseases. Find out more on the Psychology research page.
The Division of Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology is currently recruiting participants for open studies. These include:
- RADIANT (Rare and Atypical Diabetes Network) (H-46235)
The purpose of RADIANT study is to discover and classify new and unusual forms of diabetes. - TrialNet Affiliate Site: Pathway to Prevention (H-27050)
The aim of this study is to identify individuals at risk for type 1 diabetes, seeking relatives of individuals with type 1 diabetes. - TrialNet Affiliate Site: Prevention and New Onset Trials (H-36243)
The aim of this study is to conduct clinical trials for prevention of type 1 diabetes and in patients with new-onset type 1 diabetes to preserve beta-cell function. - Type 1 Diabetes Genetic Risk Scores (GRS) in TrialNet (H-45218)
The aim of this study is to test the type 1 diabetes genetic risk scores for predication of type 1 diabetes and selection of candidates for prevention trials. - DISCOVER (Diabetes Study of Children of Diverse Ethnicity and Race). (H-48980)
The aim of this study is to test type 1 diabetes genetic risk scores in combination with other characteristics present at diabetes diagnosis to accurately and timely classify diabetes type in racially/ethnically diverse youth. - Arginine Metabolism in Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes (ARMET Study) (H-51936)
This study aims to investigate arginine metabolism and the effect of arginine administration in children with type 2 diabetes compared to healthy controls. - Bone Health and Metabolism in Youth (H-45986)
Adolescents and young adults (ages 12-18 years; normal weight and overweight) with and without type 2 diabetes are needed for a research study to investigate the effect of obesity and childhood onset diabetes on bone health and risk of heart disease in youth. - Study of Setmelanotide In Patients With Specific Gene Defects In The Melanocortin-4 Receptor Pathway (H-51805)
The aim of this study is to evaluate the proportion of obese patients with genetic defects in the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) pathway who achieve a clinically meaningful reduction in body weight in response to setmelanotide versus placebo. - A Study of Setmelanotide In Patients With Specific Gene Defects In The Melanocortin-4 Receptor Pathway (H-50539)
To evaluate the proportion of obese patients with genetic defects in the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) pathway who achieve a clinically meaningful reduction in body weight in response to setmelanotide after an initial response to open-label treatment. - Genetic Disorders of Obesity Program Database (H-44596)
The goal of this study is to establish a database of pediatric patients with early-onset obesity who have been phenotypically well-characterized through a variety of standardized assessments. - Oxidative Stress and Mitochondria in Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes (H-52054)
Adults with T2D have very low levels of glutathione, which puts them at risk of harm from oxidative stress. Could children with diabetes also have low glutathione levels, and is this the reason why diabetes harms children so quickly? - Adapting and Assessing the Feasibility of a Telehealth Diabetes Prevention Program for Hispanic Adolescents (H-50331)
Adapt an evidence-based diabetes prevention program for delivery via telehealth and to test the feasibility of this study among Hispanic adolescents (12-16 years) with obesity. - Enhancement of Biomarkers for Type 1 Diabetes (H-41091)
The aim of this study is to utilize immunologic biomarkers, in particular a variant-specific IA-2 autoantibodies, for type 1 diabetes prediction. - AB Classification Study in Pediatric Diabetes(H-45745)
This is a study to test the usefulness of new classification system in pediatric diabetes using islet autoimmunity and insulin production capacity. And to identify biomolecular differences by fasting plasma metabolomics between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes compared to healthy controls. - A Phase 3 Randomized Controlled Trial of Ladarixin in New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes (H-49339)
This is a phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy and safety of 400 mg twice a day oral ladarixin in patients with new-onset type 1 diabetes and a low residual β-cell function at baseline. - DiaBetter Together - Type 1 Diabetes (H-45360)
This randomized control trial is testing a strengths-based peer support program for young adults with type 1 diabetes who are transitioning from pediatric to adult diabetes healthcare. - PRISM- Promoting Resilience in Stress Management Intervention (H-45623)
This randomized control trial is testing a resilience-building skills program for adolescents with T1D and elevated diabetes distress - Addressing Social Needs and Behavioral Health Early in the Type 1 Diabetes Course to Mitigate Inequitable Health Outcomes among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Minority Youth (H-49311)
The aim of this study is to mitigate health disparities by addressing social needs and behavioral health early in the course of type 1 diabetes.
Learn More
To learn more about the breadth of the research conducted in the Division of Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology, please visit the Baylor College of Medicine Research site.
