[Immune markers of type-I diabetes mellitus in children with diabetes in their first-degree relatives. Part I].

Type 1 diabetes is the consequence of an autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta cells. During its progression such autoantibodies as ICA, anti-GAD, anti-IA2 and IAA are found. The disease develops in genetically predisposed individuals, the genetic predisposition is associated with HLA genes. The presence of autoantibody markers at diagnosis could help predict the rapid decrease in residual beta-cell function noted in patients with recent-on-set type 1 diabetes. Autoantibodies are useful to detect developing type 1 diabetes in relatives of diabetic patients. Accurate prediction of future diabetes in healthy relatives remains an important goal for type 1 diabetes prevention.