Mainland France Research Articles

Sufficiency, consumption patterns and limits: a survey of French households

How can the concept of consumption corridors be operationalised? This research provides socio-demographic knowledge of the setting of the upper limit. Four distinct ‘modes of consumption’ are identified, based on material consumption levels and openness to consumption limits. A survey of French households (n = 2452) reveals people are generally reluctant to accept strict consumption caps, especially binding ones. Both high and low material consumption groups strongly oppose consumption limits, suggesting that wealth does not correlate with a sense of having ‘enough’. Individuals with fewer possessions support the idea of limits to consumption, though not outright bans. Despite the cultural value placed on limitless consumption and political aversion to restrictions, actual consumption modes are inherently limited. Individuals operate within certain boundaries, whether or not acknowledged. Since perceptions of ‘enough’ are shaped by economic, social and technical contexts, urban settings and buildings could play a critical role in establishing these de facto limits. By facilitating frugal-yet-comfortable lifestyles, cities and buildings could help to restrain consumption without invoking a sense of deprivation. This approach suggests a pathway for fostering sustainable consumption corridors that feel normal rather than imposed. Practice relevance This research identifies four main modes of consumption in relation to sufficiency in mainland France. It shows that what constitutes enough is socially and economically situated and is not an external reality that would mechanically satisfy consumption needs. It also shows a general reluctance of individuals towards setting limits to individual consumption levels. To the extent that urban planning and dwelling types are already important forces in the shaping of sustainable modes of consumption, cities and buildings may prove instrumental in providing the condition of de facto upper limits to consumption. By understanding consumption modes and their relationship with sufficiency, policymakers, urban planners and architects could implement the means to conduct frugal lifestyles that do not evoke feelings of deprivation.

Investigating the complementarity of thermal and physical soil organic carbon fractions

Abstract. Partitioning soil organic carbon (SOC) in fractions with different biogeochemical stability is useful to better understand and predict SOC dynamics and provide information related to soil health. Multiple SOC partition schemes exist, but few of them can be implemented on large sample sets and therefore be considered relevant options for soil monitoring. The well-established particulate organic carbon (POC) vs. mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) physical fractionation scheme is one of them. Introduced more recently, Rock-Eval® thermal analysis coupled with the PARTYSOC machine learning model can also fractionate SOC into active (Ca) and stable SOC (Cs). A debate is emerging as to which of these methods should be recommended for soil monitoring. To investigate the complementarity or redundancy of these two fractionation schemes, we compared the quantity and environmental drivers of SOC fractions obtained on an unprecedented dataset from mainland France. About 2000 topsoil samples were recovered all over the country, presenting contrasting land cover and pedoclimatic characteristics, and analysed. We found that the environmental drivers of the fractions were clearly different, the more stable MAOC and Cs fractions being mainly driven by soil characteristics, whereas land cover and climate had a greater influence on more labile POC and Ca fractions. The stable and labile SOC fractions provided by the two methods strongly differed in quantity (MAOC/Cs=1.88 ± 0.46 and POC/Ca=0.36 ± 0.17; n=843) and drivers, suggesting that they correspond to fractions with different biogeochemical stability. We argue that, at this stage, both methods can be seen as complementary and potentially relevant for soil monitoring. As future developments, we recommend comparing how they relate to indicators of soil health such as nutrient availability or soil structural stability and how their measurements can improve the accuracy of SOC dynamics models.

Neurosurgery in a Pacific archipelago: how to provide optimal care. Experience of the opening of a first-line neurosurgery department

IntroductionIn the beginning of November 2023, the authors launched a neurosurgery department in Nouméa, New Caledonia. Emergency cranial surgeries are performed by orthopedic surgeons. All other cases are transferred to Australia or mainland France.Opening a neurosurgery department matches the current needs of the population. The department opened 10 inpatient beds on February 1st, 2024. First neurosurgical experienceDuring the first 3 months, 108 surgeries were performed: 32 cranial and 76 spinal. Surgical indications were mostly traumatic, degenerative, infectious, tumoral, vascular pathology, and cerebrospinal fluid resorption disorder. Patient characteristicsThere were 93 patients: 58 male, 35 female; median age, 53 years [IQR, 42 ; 65]. Median body mass index was 27.8 [23.4 ; 31.9]. Seven patients were admitted for spontaneous infection (7.5%). Eight (8.6%) were operated on for postoperative infection, including one cranial and one spinal infection initially managed elsewhere. These 15 patients had a median BMI of 31 [24.9 ; 34.4]. ConclusionThe permanent presence of two neurosurgeons seems justified. Some pathologies can be managed on-site, but transfers to centers in Australia or mainland France will remain necessary. We strongly recommend having such a first-line neurosurgery department in this type of isolated territory.

A Comprehensive Evaluation of Machine Learning Algorithms for Digital Soil Organic Carbon Mapping on a National Scale

The aim of this study was to narrow the research gap of ambiguity in which machine learning algorithms should be selected for evaluation in digital soil organic carbon (SOC) mapping. This was performed by providing a comprehensive assessment of prediction accuracy for 15 frequently used machine learning algorithms in digital SOC mapping based on studies indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), providing a basis for algorithm selection in future studies. Two study areas, including mainland France and the Czech Republic, were used in the study based on 2514 and 400 soil samples from the LUCAS 2018 dataset. Random Forest was first ranked for France (mainland) and then ranked for the Czech Republic regarding prediction accuracy; the coefficients of determination were 0.411 and 0.249, respectively, which was in accordance with its dominant appearance in previous studies indexed in the WoSCC. Additionally, the K-Nearest Neighbors and Gradient Boosting Machine regression algorithms indicated, relative to their frequency in studies indexed in the WoSCC, that they are underrated and should be more frequently considered in future digital SOC studies. Future studies should consider study areas not strictly related to human-made administrative borders, as well as more interpretable machine learning and ensemble machine learning approaches.

Defining neighborhood walkability for children in the ELFE cohort study

Abstract Background Although walkability is known to be associated with obesity in adults, there is a paucity of data evaluating the association of walkability and health outcomes in children. In particular, little is known regarding the possible association with children’s mental health. Methods We used data from the Etude Longitudinale Française depuis l’Enfance (ELFE) cohort study. Participating mothers gave birth in 2011 in a representative sample of 320 maternity hospitals in mainland France. This pilot study is limited to participants in Paris and children at 5.5 years old. Walkability is defined by three parameters: population density (defined by census data), street connectivity (defined by intersection density), and land-use mix (entropy index). To approximate walkable areas, 500-meter street-network buffer zones were created around each participants address using a geographic information system. Children’s mental health was assessed using parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at age 5.5 years. Results There was a total of 280 children in this pilot study. On measures of land-use mix, we found a mean of 0.79 (SD: 0.12), representing high accessibility. Residential and intersection density were highly correlated (p < 0.01). The walkability index demonstrated high variability among participants (mean: 10.6; SD: 10.44; range: -1.67 - 30.59). Conclusions Developing a walkability index is a multifactorial measure to describe a children’s neighborhood environment. Future work includes determining the association with children’s mental health disorders, while accounting for individual and neighborhood variables. This ecological model can inform social epidemiology and contextual disparities in children’s health. Key messages • Little is known about neighborhood walkability and the association with children’s mental health. • Using objective measures to calculate neighborhood composition and help elucidate this relationship.

Les filles de Méliès: l’exception culturelle, analogue aesthetics and women filmmakers of le cinéma-monde

ABSTRACT This article examines transnational francophone films from writer-directors Marjane Satrapi and Chloé Mazlo, filmmakers who show how the politics of l’exception culturelle [the cultural exception] have made French cinema a multiply exceptional force in world cinema. The analogue effects in Poulet aux prunes/Chicken with Plums (2011) and Sous le ciel d’Alice/Skies of Lebanon (2020) mark an aesthetic resistance to the homogenising force of digital photorealism while also reflecting an approach to filmmaking pioneered by Georges Méliès, particularly his ground-breaking work in set design and cinematography. As women filmmakers, their reliance on practical aesthetics to present stories set outside l’Hexagone (mainland France) represent the French commitment to the diversity of cinéma-monde. This article argues that these filmmakers and their films have benefitted from policies rooted in l’exception culturelle while expanding the sense of ‘exception’ in a French context to mean films directed by women, films featuring analogue effects and films that reflect transnational identities and cross-cultural collaboration. Both Poulet aux prunes and Sous le ciel d’Alice frame an expanded logic for l’exception culturelle that has shaped more than three decades of contemporary French cinema.

Timing of infant mortality in French Guiana: The persistence of high post neonatal mortality

BackgroundInfant mortality in French Guiana, a French overseas territory, is 2.7 times greater than in mainland France. Given the importance of better understanding infant mortality we aimed to describe the early & late neonatal, and postneonatal mortality in French Guiana between 2007 and 2022. MethodsWe used data from the Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques to describe trends and performed survival analysis. ResultsOverall, there were 1 073 deaths before one year of age, of which 297 (27.7 %) occurred on the first day of life. The overall proportion of early neonatal deaths was 47.1 %, late neonatal deaths was 17.3 %, and post-neonatal deaths was 35.6 %. The overall incidences were 4.6 per 1,000 for early neonatal mortality, 1.4 per 1,000 for late neonatal mortality, and 3.1 per 1,000 for post neonatal mortality. The incidence for infant mortality for French Guiana residents was thus 9.1 per 1,000. ConclusionsWe show that post neonatal deaths in French Guiana are proportionally greater than in mainland France and they do not seem to decline, as they did in France. The relative proportions of post-neonatal mortality can thus help to identify important areas for action to correct excess infant mortality. Although poor pregnancy follow-up remains a problem we show that follow-up of infants is also a pressing problem that warrants increased efforts.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Interventions on Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy Incidence in France

To study the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic on the monthly incidence of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) cases overall and those with a viral or bacterial identification. We conducted an interrupted time-series analysis using seasonally adjusted Poisson regression models from the French national prospective and multicenter SUDI registry, that included all SUDI cases under age one year who died from 2016 to 2021 in mainland France. Of 998 SUDI cases analyzed, 750 were recorded during the pre-pandemic period (January 2016 through March 2020) and 248 during the NPI period (April 2020 through December 2021). We found a significant seasonal pattern of overall monthly SUDI incidence, with a peak observed periodically from November to February. The monthly SUDI incidence decreased significantly from the pre-pandemic to NPI periods (adjusted incidence rate ratio 0.83 [95% confidence interval 0·72-0·96]). In particular, the monthly incidence of SUDI cases with a viral or bacterial identification decreased, while no significant difference was found for SUDI cases without a viral or bacterial identification. NPIs were associated with a significant change in the incidence of SUDI cases with a viral or bacterial identification. Further investigations are needed to analyze the pathophysiologic role of viruses and bacteria in the SUDI.

Reappraising Cladophialophora bantiana phaeohyphomycosis in France: retrospective nation-based study

Cladophialophora bantiana is one of the most virulent phaeohyphomycetes, typically causes non-angiogenic single (or sometimes multiple) cystic brain lesions, and has resulted in a mortality rate of up to 70%.Most Cbantiana cases are described either in a series of isolated reports or in very small cohorts. The aim of this retrospective nation-based study was to share the data on Cbantiana phaeohyphomycosis cases reported in France and French overseas territories over the past two decades to improve understanding of this disease. Patients with Cbantiana infection were processed through the active surveillance programme of invasive fungal infections launched by the National Reference Center for Mycoses and Antifungals, Institut Pasteur (Paris, France), and the French Surveillance Network of Invasive Fungal Infections, which involved 29hospitals from mainland France and overseas French territories. Onlyproven and probable cases of infection, according to the revised and updated consensus definitions from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Mycoses Study Group, were included in the study. Patients were diagnosed or confirmed, or both, using a polyphasic approach at the Institut Pasteur between 2002and2022. Patients were separated into two groups: those with CNS involvement and those with no CNS involvement. Theprimary outcome was the survival rate. A total of 23patients with a Cbantiana invasive infection were included during the study period (Jan 1, 2002, to Dec 31, 2022). The median age was 56years in the CNS involvement group and 65years in the non-CNS involvement group. Until 2021, the annual number of cases varied between zero and two, with six cases observed in 2022, the warmest year recorded in France since 1900. CNS involvement was observed in 15 (65%) patients, including three disseminated cases; skin and soft tissue involvement in seven (30%) patients and an isolated lung infection in one case. Diabetes was observed in five patients, and any immunodepression factor was observed in 14 (61%) of 23patients. When considering only patients with CNS involvement, 9-month survival appeared higher in patients who underwent exeresis or large drainage (three [75%] of four patients vs three [27%] of 11patients; p=0·24) and significantly higher in those treated for 2or more weeks with triple antifungal therapy (liposomal amphotericin Bplus posaconazole and flucytosine; seven [78%] of nine patients vs one [17%] of six patients; p=0·040). Two patients were treated with excision surgery alone (one patient with success, and the other patient lost to follow-up). This study shows that the clinical presentations and underlying medical conditions of Cbantiana infections are more diverse than previously described. It also emphasises a significant difference in mortality rate between those with and without CNS involvement. The prognosis improved when surgery was performed and triple antifungal therapy was administered. Such rare and devastating invasive fungal infections should be managed by a multidisciplinary team. Santé Publique France.

Nation-wide monitoring campaign of 49 biocides and surfactants in surface waters and wastewaters

Despite their intensive use and their impact on ecosystems, biocides and surfactants are still poorly regulated and poorly monitored at large scale. In the frame of the revision of the national regulatory surveillance plan of surface waters, France planned in 2018 a monitoring campaign at national scale focused on these two types of substances of very emerging concern. Forty-nine contaminants (32 biocides and 17 surfactants) were investigated in surface water and sediment samples from 91 sampling sites, and in effluent and sludge samples of 7 wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), in mainland France and overseas regions. Between 33 and 52 % of the target contaminants were quantified at least once in water and sediment. High frequencies of quantification were observed for the surfactants (up to 91 % in water samples and up to 57 % in sediment samples for LAS C10-C13) and for the biocides (up to 64 % for fipronil in water samples and up to 90 % for methyl nonyl ketone in sediment samples). The median concentrations of surfactants were up to 2 μg/L in mainland surface water samples and up to 528 μg/kg in sediment samples, and for biocides, the median concentrations were up to 0.18 μg/L in mainland surface water samples and up to 104 μg/kg in sediment samples. PNEC exceedances in water and sediment were determined for both types of substances. The analysis of effluent and sludge suggested significant but not total removal of these substances in the WWTP. Temporal and spatial variations of the concentrations of both types of substances in surface water samples were also observed, suggesting both punctual and diffuse contamination sources of the surface water investigated.

Epos-France Database of Earthquake Ground Motion for Mainland France: 1996–2021 Updated Version

Epos-France Database of Earthquake Ground Motion for Mainland France: 1996–2021 Updated Version

End-of-life medical decisions in French overseas departments: results of a retrospective survey

BackgroundFrench laws governing end-of-life medical practices forbid euthanasia and affirm patients’ right to deep and continuous sedation until death. Cultural traditions and disparities in health care provision, as in overseas France, could limit the enforcement of such laws and modify end-of-life medical practices.AimThis research aims to describe end-of-life medical decisions in overseas France and to compare with those described in mainland France.MethodsA retrospective study of a random sample of adult patients who died between March 2020 and February 2021 was conducted in four overseas French departments. Physicians who certified the deaths were asked to describe end-of-life care and medical decisions in a questionnaire.ResultsA total of 1815 deaths were analysed over 8730 questionnaires sent. Withholding treatments was the most frequent decision (41%), treatment for pain or symptoms was intensified for a third of patients, Deep and continuous sedation until death was implemented in 13.3% cases. The use of drugs to deliberately end life was mentioned in 1.3% deaths. At least one decision was made in 61.6% deaths. More decisions that may hasten death were made before predictable deaths. Intensification of pain and symptoms treatment was more frequent in 2022 than in 2010. Deep and continuous sedation was introduced by law in 2016 without prejudice to other decisions.ConclusionPhysicians in overseas France have implemented recent changes in end-of-life laws, including deep and continuous sedation. Comparisons with 2010 mainland France survey show a better implementation of palliative medicine in 2022, with higher proportions of treatment withholding.

Into the Jungle of Biological Agents of Foodborne Diseases: Time to Put Some Order for the French Risk Manager.

Consumers can be exposed to many foodborne biological hazards that cause diseases with varying outcomes and incidence and, therefore, represent different levels of public health burden. To help the French risk managers to rank these hazards and to prioritize food safety actions, we have developed a three-step approach. The first step was to develop a list of foodborne hazards of health concern in mainland France. From an initial list of 335 human pathogenic biological agents, the final list of "retained hazards" consists of 24 hazards, including 12 bacteria (including bacterial toxins and metabolites), 3 viruses and 9 parasites. The second step was to collect data to estimate the disease burden (incidence, Disability Adjusted Life Years) associated with these hazards through food during two time periods: 2008-2013 and 2014-2019. The ranks of the different hazards changed slightly according to the considered period. The third step was the ranking of hazards according to a multicriteria decision support model using the ELECTRE III method. Three ranking criteria were used, where two reflect the severity of the effects (Years of life lost and Years lost due to disability) and one reflects the likelihood (incidence) of the disease. The multicriteria decision analysis approach takes into account the preferences of the risk managers through different sets of weights and the uncertainties associated with the data. The method and the data collected allowed to estimate the health burden of foodborne biological hazards in mainland France and to define a prioritization list for the health authorities.

Female genital mutilation/cutting in women delivering in France: An observational national study.

International migration from source countries has meant that clinicians in high income countries, that is, receiving countries, are increasingly caring for affected women affected by female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of FGM/C among women at childbirth, and its association with pregnancy outcomes. This was an observational study using data from a cross-sectional population-based study from the French National Perinatal Survey of 2021 (ENP) conducted in all maternity units in mainland France and including all women delivering a live birth during 1 week in March 2021 (N = 10 928). We estimated the FGM/C prevalence using (i) the diagnosed cases and (ii) the indirect prevalence estimated by UNICEF in each source country. We compared population characteristics and perinatal outcomes between women diagnosed with FGM/C and two groups: (i) women originating in source countries and diagnosed as without FGM/C and (ii) all women without diagnosis of FGM/C whatever the country of birth. Diagnosed prevalence of FGM/C was 95% (95% CI: 0.78-1.14] and the indirect computed estimation prevalence was estimated at 1.53% (95% CI: 1.31-1.77) in 113 and 183 women, respectively. Labor and delivery outcomes were globally similar in women with FGM/C and the other two groups. Only episiotomy was more frequently performed in women with FGM/C than in the other two groups. In receiving countries, obstetric outcomes of women with FGM/C can be similar to those of other women, which does not preclude need of further research and training to provide the most appropriate care, including enhanced attention to diagnosis.

Impacts of soil de-sealing practices on urban land-uses, soil functions and ecosystem services in French cities

Soil sealing has been recognised as one of the main causes of urban soil degradation in Europe. To tackle this issue, de-sealing measures have recently been promoted in cities to increase the sustainability of soil ecosystem services. To our knowledge, very few evaluations of de-sealing projects have as yet been done to assess the current framework of these urban planning practices. Therefore, we conducted an online survey to collect and analyse soil de-sealing projects throughout mainland France. A 60-question survey was run over a 4-month-period, and data about 57 projects were collected. The answers covered a diversity of projects, structures and stakeholders and included data such as the location / objectives / costs and benefits of the projects implemented in cities of various sizes. A typology of urban land-uses before and after de-sealing was defined. Among the diverse objectives of de-sealing, rainwater management, reducing urban heat, and greening were most frequent. More than half of the respondents (64%) indicated that ecosystem services were used to drive their de-sealing project. The methods usually required excavation of the sealing cover and road layers being replaced by newly imported fertile materials. Recent de-sealing projects have reused derelict materials from the site (soil-material inventory) and/or local urban waste for soil construction, which can help minimise both the economic and environmental costs of urban greening projects. The results of this study provide quite an exhaustive view of current French de-sealing practices and could provide guidelines for improving soil functions by applying soil engineering processes to construct sustainable fertile soils for urban greening.

Current distribution of the Reeves’ muntjac Muntiacus reevesi (Ogilby, 1839) in France

Abstract The Reeves’ muntjac Muntiacus reevesi is an ungulate native to China and Taiwan that has been released into the wild in several continental European countries and the United Kingdom. We present recent records of the species in mainland France. We also investigated the dispersal rate and density of the established population in the Centre-Val de Loire region. The number of observations of M. reevesi was low in the period 2008–2016, increased sharply until 2019 and then decreased until 2023. From a comparison between the distribution in 2008–2012 and 2013–2017, the dispersal rate was estimated at an average of 3.2 km/year, and 7.6 km/year between 2013–2017 and 2018–2023. Based on a camera trap protocol, the population density was assumed to be very low in forested areas but estimated with a lack of robustness due to a single observation. Further efforts must be made to better assess the risk of an increase in the wild population of Reeves’ muntjac in the Centre-Val de Loire region. To prevent potential impacts, rapid control measures can be put in place in the large area (10,800 km2) where muntjacs are now rapidly spreading.

First record of Atherigona orientalis Schiner, 1868 (Diptera: Muscidae) in France

AbstractThe first record of the pepper fruit fly, Atherigona orientalis Schiner, 1868, in mainland France is reported in this paper. Larvae were found in 2022 in fruits of Capsicum annuum and adults were reared in 2023 from Passiflora caerulea fruits in two localities of southern France. This species has pantropical distribution and is characterized by sarco‐saprophagous habits, but in some conditions can act as a primary pest of Solanaceae crops.

General practitioners and palliative care practices: a better knowledge of specific services is still needed

BackgroundFrance allows deep sedation for pain relief, but not for euthanasia. In anticipation of an increase in home-based palliative care, the role of general practitioners is central to the design of outpatient palliative care services. This study aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of general practitioners in mainland France regarding palliative and end of life care.MethodsThis was a national descriptive cross-sectional study within the Sentinelles network. Self-report questionnaires were distributed to general practitioners between November 2020 and November 2021. A descriptive analysis was carried out.ResultsOut of the 123 participating general practitioners, 84% had received academic training in palliative care (n = 104). While a significant majority (69%) expressed comfort in pain management, only a quarter (25%) declared that they were competent at indicating deep and continuous sedation for pain relief. Awareness of outpatient palliative care facilities close to their place of practice such as hospitalization at home was over 97% (n = 117/120). Awareness of hospital facilities, including identified palliative care beds on hospital wards and palliative care units, was lower (75% (n = 59/79) and 86% (n = 86/100), respectively).ConclusionsOur results suggest that French general practitioners are reasonably aware of palliative care resources available. However, there is room for improvement, particularly in understanding hospital-based facilities. Furthermore, a quarter of the general practitioners expressed discomfort with deep and continuous sedation for pain relief, highlighting the need for increased training in this specific aspect of palliative and end of life care.

Heavy episodic drinking among French adolescents between 2005 and 2022: decreasing prevalence rates and increased risks.

To study the prevalence of alcohol use among French adolescents over time and factors associated with heavy episodic drinking (HED) among drinkers. Our analysis relies on six waves of a standardized cross, sectional survey conducted in mainland France between 2005 and 2022. The overall sample size comprises 179905 adolescents aged 17 (90166 males and 89739 females). Two outcomes were considered: declaring past month HED (at least one) and repeated HED (at least three) in the past month between 2005 and 2022. Relative risks and probabilities according to years of survey, gender and frequency of alcohol use (past 30 days) were estimated using modified Poisson regressions controlling for grade retention, schooling, living out of parental household, socioeconomic status, and other substance (tobacco, cannabis, other illicit substances) use. Despite a steady decline in alcohol use among French adolescents over the past two decades, the prevalence of HED still concerned one, third of 17-year-olds in 2022. The reduction in alcohol use conceals an increased likelihood of HED among occasional drinkers (<10 times a month). Moreover, the probability of HED among females is similar to that of males, or even higher depending on the frequency of use. HED is becoming an increasingly common behavior among adolescent drinkers. The decline in prevalence conceals a homogenization of behavior between genders. Our results also question underage access to alcohol, despite increasing legal restrictions. These results support general prevention in early adolescence aimed at all drinkers, and not only at the most frequent or "at-risk" drinkers.

Genomic variants associated with age at diagnosis of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes.

Age at diagnosis (AAD) of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is determined by the age at onset of the autoimmune attack and by the rate of beta cell destruction that follows. Twin studies found that T1D AAD is strongly influenced by genetics, notably in young children. In young UK, Finnish, Sardinian patients AAD-associated genomic variants were previously identified, which may vary across populations and with time. In 1956 children of European ancestry born in mainland France in 1980-2008 who declared T1D before 15 years, we tested 94 T1D-associated SNPs for their association with AAD using nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test. While high-risk HLA genotypes were not found to be associated with AAD, fourteen SNPs located in 12 non-HLA loci showed a strong association (2.9 × 10-12 < P < 1.4 × 10-3 after FDR correction). Four of these loci have been associated with AAD in previous cohorts (GSDMB, IL2, TNFAIP3, IL1), supporting a partially shared genetic influence on AAD of T1D in the studied European populations. In contrast, the association of 8 new loci CLEC16A, TYK2, ERBB3, CCR7, FCRL3, DNAH2, FGF3/4, and HPSE2 with AAD is novel. The 12 protein-coding genes located within these loci are involved in major immune pathways or in predisposition to other autoimmune diseases, which suggests a prominent role for these genes in the early immune mechanisms of beta cell destruction.