Cases of diabetes in children on the rise
Monday, March 9, 2015
More than 1,000 children were diagnosed with diabetes last year, new figures show.
The annual audit, published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, also shows that although the quality of care is improving it varies across the country, with children living in the most deprived parts of England and Wales having poorer diabetes control.
Some children are also showing early signs of serious health problems.
Nearly one in five of children who have type 1 diabetes and are under 11 are considered obese. This rises to one in four for children aged 12 and over.
More than a quarter of children and young people with type 1 diabetes have high blood pressure.
A total of 26,598 children and young people with diabetes were included in the 2013/14 audit. This is an increase of 1,377 on the number submitted and included in the 2012/13 audit.
A total of 1,377 children and young people were diagnosed with diabetes during 2013/14.
In England and Wales, there are 1,689 children with diabetes aged from birth to four.
Among children and young people diagnosed in the latest figures, more than 95 per cent of cases of diabetes are type 1. Although just 5 per cent of children and young people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the audit found that those with type 2 are seven times more likely to live in the most deprived areas.
But the statistics from the annual National Diabetes Audit also show an improvement in the care for children with diabetes, with the percentage of children with ‘excellent diabetes control’ – which is measured by HbA1c levels - rising over the last two years.
Dr Justin Warner, clinical lead for the NPDA, said, ‘On the one hand the picture is positive; the quality of care for children and young people with diabetes is improving and we’re getting better at ensuring care processes are met.
‘Yet the challenge we face is also growing, with more children being diagnosed with diabetes and some displaying early signs of potentially serious long term health problems. This is a lifelong condition where tight overall diabetes control is important to reduce the risk of complications later in life. This requires a close partnership between healthcare professionals delivering care and children and families with diabetes.’
The audit’s report analyses care and best practice for children and young people with diabetes in England and Wales, and makes recommendations to improve quality.
