Protocol for a feasibility and acceptability study for UK general population paediatric type 1 diabetes screening-the EarLy Surveillance for Autoimmune diabetes (ELSA) study.

Aim: The EarLy Surveillance for Autoimmune (ELSA) study aims to explore the feasibility and acceptability of UK paediatric general population screening for type 1 diabetes.

Methods: We aim to screen 20,000 children aged 3-13 years for islet-specific autoantibodies through dried blood spot sample collection at home, hospital or community settings. Children with two or more autoantibodies are offered metabolic staging via oral glucose challenge testing.