12-year-old is the first child in San Diego to delay type 1 diabetes with new drug
Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego is at the forefront of Type 1 diabetes research, becoming one of the first centers in the nation to use Tzield (Teplizumab), the first FDA-approved drug to delay the onset of Type 1 diabetes.
In a groundbreaking case, 12-year-old Mason Webb from Pacific Beach became the first child in San Diego County to benefit from the treatment in its early stages of diabetes. Under the care of Dr. Carla Demeterco-Berggren, a pediatric endocrinologist at Rady, Mason received a two-week regimen of intravenous infusions that have the potential to delay diabetes onset by up to two years.
While Tzield doesn’t prevent the disease, its ability to delay the condition gives families valuable time to manage the challenges of diabetes. According to Dr. Demeterco-Berggren, even a short delay can significantly impact a child’s quality of life, providing relief from insulin shots and intensive carbohydrate monitoring.
Rady Children’s is actively working to expand access to this treatment, including advocating for Medi-Cal coverage and offering flexible infusion clinic hours for families. The hospital also collaborates with pediatric specialists to ensure early detection and timely intervention for children at risk of Type 1 diabetes.
Experts at Rady believe this is just the beginning. With advancements in stem cell research and beta cell replacement therapies on the horizon, the future looks promising for those affected by this lifelong condition.