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 2025, Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Division members published 54 articles in peer-reviewed journals, delivered 76 extra-mural presentations, and had 57 IRB-approved research protocols, 40 active studies, and $1,085,311 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.
- 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:
- 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. - A Study of XYOSTED® for Testosterone Replacement in Male Adolescents With Conditions Associated with Deficiency or Absence of Endogenous Test (H-56187)
An Open-Label Multiple-Dose, 52-Week Study to Evaluate the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Efficacy of XYOSTED® for Testosterone Replacement in Male Adolescents (ages: 12 to <18 years) With Conditions Associated with Deficiency or Absence of Endogenous Testosterone Due to Primary or Secondary Hypogonadism (Congenital or Acquired) - 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. - 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. - 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. - Bionic Pancreas: A Randomized Trial of the Insulin-only Bionic Pancreas in Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes (H-55979)
This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the iLet Bionic Pancreas System for cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD). - 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. - DISCOVERY of Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes In Youth (H-55870)
The DISCOVERY Study aims to identify factors that contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents to improve prevention strategies. - EMPoWER - Encouragement of preteens with type one diabetes to enhance resilience (H-51765)
The EMPoWER Study randomized clinical trial is a strengths-based behavioral intervention delivered to youth with type 1 diabetes (age 10 to 13) and their parents. - 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. - 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. - Immune Function and the Progression of Type 1 Diabetes (H-53859)
This observational study aims to identify novel biomarkers and signatures associated with type 1 diabetes to improve understanding, prevention, and treatment of the disease. - Prediabetes Physical Activity and Stopping evening Snacking | BCM (H-56321)
PASS-56321 aims to evaluate the effects of increased physical activity and eliminating evening snacks on youth with prediabetes. - RADIANT (Rare and Atypical Diabetes Network) (H-46235)
The purpose of RADIANT study is to discover and classify new and unusual forms of diabetes. - Sleep, Energetics and Bone Health in Youth (H-56233)
This study aims to evaluate the relationship between sleep habits, sleep quality, and bone health in youth, including the impact of nutrition, physical activity, and hormones. - 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. - 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. - 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.
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.
