Subjects sought for diabetes research

Utah Diabetes Center is screening pregnant women in their third trimester and infants up to 5 months old for a research study testing whether an omega-3 fatty acid naturally found in some foods can prevent type 1 diabetes.

To be eligible, the baby must have a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes. Screening consists of a simple blood test.

The center is one of nine in the United States participating in the Nutritional Intervention to Prevent Type 1 Diabetes Pilot Trial. Called NIP for short, the pilot study will help researchers learn more about the omega-3 fatty acid, Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, and whether a larger study is feasible. They hope to learn to prevent diabetes in babies who may be at risk for developing it.

The study is offered as part of the center's participation in Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet, a global network of clinical research centers funded by the National Institutes of Health.

For more information about the NIP pilot study, call Eric Garcia at 801-587-3972. For more information about this and other prevention and intervention studies being offered by Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet at research centers around the country, call 800-425-8361 or visit www.DiabetesTrialNet.org.