SEATTLE - Starting in January, all babies born in eastern and central Washington will be offered free screening to reveal future risk of type I diabetes, according to an announcement from the Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute.
     Study and consent information will be provided along with newborn screening program information at hospitals and clinics, according to the announcement.
     The Diabetes Evaluation in Washington Study will look at babies' leftover blood spots from birth to determine those at the highest risk for type I diabetes, said institute officials.
     Detecting diabetes in youth before clinical onset can cut time and cost of hospitalization, according to the announcement.
     Every year more than 15,000 children are diagnosed with type I diabetes in the United States. Ninety percent of people diagnosed with type I diabetes do not have a family history of the disease, so it is necessary to screen all children, according to the institute.
     The research study is part of many ongoing diabetes studies at the institute. More information is available at 1 (888) 324-8331.