HLA B8 and BW15 antigens in diabetic children.

The simultaneous occurrence of HLA B8 and BW15 and B8 antigens is significantly more frequent in diabetic children than in the general population. BW15 alone shows no significant difference but may be considered as a potentiating factor. The relative risk of the manifestation of diabetes in the highest when HLA B8 and BW15 occur simultaneously. In the nearest diabetic relatives of diabetic children the occurrence of B8 and B8 and/or BW15 antigens is significantly more frequent than in the diabetic child population.