Aveni Haynes
Principal Research Fellow
BA (Hons), MBBChir, MA (Cantab), PhD
aveni.haynes@health.wa.gov.au
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-aveni-haynes-79bb8193/Associate Professor Haynes leads the epidemiology and early-stage type 1 diabetes research theme in the Rio Tinto Children’s Diabetes Centre at The Kids. Her research vision is to improve health outcomes for kids diagnosed with diabetes. About 140,000 Australian children have type 1 diabetes (T1D), and an average of three children are diagnosed every day. These children need lifelong daily insulin treatment to stay alive.
In 2023, A/Prof Haynes led a world-first study helping to detect early changes in blood sugar levels that occur before very young children are diagnosed with T1D to find the right time to intervene with future treatments to delay or prevent the condition. It is the first-time children under two years of age have been monitored using a small device called a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). The monitor picks up early changes in glucose patterns in children known to be at risk of developing T1D before they have any symptoms, which can start months to years before diagnosis. Detecting these early changes is vital to help identify children at risk who could be eligible for interventions to delay or prevent the onset of T1D. It also allows time for families and children to learn more about T1D symptoms and when to seek help.
Excitingly she was successful in a Telethon research grant in December 2023 for her project - Supporting families to navigate early-stage type 1 diabetes.
Projects
Using continuous glucose monitoring to detect early dysglycaemia in children participating in the ENDIA study (Sub Protocol)
Published research
Disparities in Diabetes Technology Uptake in Youth and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: A Global Perspective
Globally, nearly 9 million people are living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Although the incidence of T1D is not affected by socioeconomic status, the development of complications and limited access to modern therapy is overrepresented in vulnerable populations. Diabetes technology, specifically continuous glucose monitoring and automated insulin delivery systems, are considered the gold standard for management of T1D, yet access to these technologies varies widely across countries and regions, and varies widely even within high-income countries.
Parental experiences of using continuous glucose monitoring in their young children with early-stage type 1 diabetes: a qualitative interview study
To explore parents' experiences of using continuous glucose monitoring in their young children with early-stage type 1 diabetes, being followed in the Australian Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) study.
Early Dysglycemia Is Detectable Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Very Young Children at Risk of Type 1 Diabetes
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can detect early dysglycemia in older children and adults with presymptomatic type 1 diabetes and predict risk of progression to clinical onset. However, CGM data for very young children at greatest risk of disease progression are lacking.
Dietary patterns during pregnancy and maternal and birth outcomes in women with type 1 diabetes: the Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) study
Dietary patterns characterised by high intakes of vegetables may lower the risk of pre-eclampsia and premature birth in the general population. The effect of dietary patterns in women with type 1 diabetes, who have an increased risk of complications in pregnancy, is not known.
Protocol for the Australian Type 1 Diabetes National Screening Pilot: Assessing the feasibility and acceptability of three general population screening models in children
One third of Australian children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes present with life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis. Screening for early-stage, presymptomatic type 1 diabetes, with ongoing follow-up, can substantially reduce this risk (<5% risk). Several screening models are being trialled internationally, without consensus on the optimal approach. This pilot study aims to assess three models for a routine, population-wide screening programme in Australia.
Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) longitudinal prospective pregnancy to childhood cohort study of Australian children at risk of type 1 diabetes: parental demographics and birth information
The Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity Study is an ongoing Australian prospective cohort study investigating how modifiable prenatal and early-life exposures drive the development of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes in children. In this profile, we describe the cohort's parental demographics, maternal and neonatal outcomes and human leukocyte antigen genotypes.
Improved Glycemic Outcomes With Diabetes Technology Use Independent of Socioeconomic Status in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes
Technology use in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is impacted by socioeconomic status (SES). This analysis explored relationships between SES, glycemic outcomes, and technology use.
Education and Qualifications
- The University of Western Australia, PhD
- University of Cambridge Medical School, England, Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (M.B., B.Chir.)
- University of Cambridge, Queens’ College, England, Bachelor of Medical Sciences (B.A. (Hons))
Awards/Honours
- The Kids Research Institute Australia, Illuminate Pitch - People’s Choice Award Winner
- Raine Medical Research Foundation, Strachan Memorial Prize - Best scientific paper arising from clinical research undertaken by an early-career researcher in Western Australia
Active Collaborations
- Co-Investigator: JDRF Global Centre of Excellence, International
- Co- Investigator: Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) Study, National
- Co-Investigator: Australian T1D General Population Screening Pilot, National
- Co-Investigator: Australian T1D Immunotherapy Trials Collaborative