Positivity for Zinc Transporter 8 Autoantibodies at Diagnosis Is Subsequently Associated With Reduced b-Cell Function and Higher Exogenous Insulin Requirement in Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

Children, younger than 15 years of age (n = 723) newly diagnosed with diabetes, were analyzed for ZnT8A, other diabetes-associated autoantibodies, HLA DR-DQ alleles, and metabolic status, which was monitored by pH, plasma glucose, and occurrence of ketoacidosis at diagnosis and through follow-up of C-peptide concentrations, exogenous insulin dose, and glycosylated hemoglobin for two years after the diagnosis.