Today’s children to bear brunt of diabetes epidemic
PRESS RELEASE
December 5th, 2006
Cape Town, South Africa
Leading diabetes experts highlight the increasing prevalence of diabetes in children and urge immediate action to prevent unnecessary death and disability
Diabetes is fast becoming the epidemic of the 21st century. The main types of diabetes: type 1, which requires treatment with insulin for survival, and type 2 diabetes, are both on the rise in children and adolescents.
New figures from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) show that Over 70,000 children develop type 1 diabetes each year. IDF figures indicate that 440,000 children worldwide under the age of 14 now live with type 1 diabetes. At the same time, type 2 diabetes, previously unheard of in children, is rising at alarming rates, especially among ethnic minorities. More than 200 children a day now develop diabetes. For many children from the developing world, the outlook is bleak.
“We are seeing an alarming increase of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children. We need to act now to prevent early onset of complications and possible death. With early diagnosis and appropriate care, a child with diabetes can live a full and healthy life.” said Dr Francine Kaufman, Chair of the IDF Consultative Section on Childhood and Adolescent Diabetes, speaking at the conference.
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood and can strike children at any age, including pre-school children and toddlers. It is increasing by 3% every year. Diabetes in childhood increases the risk of life-threatening diabetes complications at an early age. When diabetes is diagnosed in the young, life expectancy is shortened by an average 10 to 20 years.
At their 19th World Diabetes Congress in Cape Town, the International Diabetes Federation explained today that the current generation of children and adolescents will bear the future force of the growing type 2 diabetes epidemic. If action is not taken to reverse current trends, by the time today’s children reach their thirties and forties, more than 380 million people worldwide will be living with the disease. Recent data indicate that one in every three children born in the USA will go on to develop diabetes during their lifetime. For children from ethnic minority groups, the ratio rises to one in two. Once considered a disease of the elderly, type 2 diabetes has shifted down a generation, particularly in developing countries, with adverse economic impact.
The situation is particularly concerning in low and middle-income countries, where many children with diabetes die because they are diagnosed late or misdiagnosed. Many die because insulin is unavailable or in short supply. In Mozambique, for example, a person with type 1 diabetes will die within one year of diagnosis.
“Action is required to save children’s lives.” said Dr Graham Ogle, who leads the IDF Life for a Child program. “We provide life-saving diabetes supplies and care to 500 children in 13 countries, but there are so many more that we can’t yet reach.” Next year, IDF aims to attract sufficient funding and donations to expand the Program. and the organization has declared 2007 as the Year of the Child. “Our campaign sets out to firmly establish the message that ‘no child should die of diabetes.” said Kaufman.
Diabetes – different for children
Diabetes has a unique impact on children and their families. It can interfere with the normal developmental tasks of childhood and adolescence, which include succeeding in school and the transition to adulthood. In young children, frequent episodes of very low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) may result in brain abnormalities and impaired cognitive function. Proper education in diabetes management is therefore key to reducing complications and saving lives. While it remains demanding, children and their families can succeed in controlling their blood sugar and growing up to be healthy and happy.
Over 200 children a day get diabetes. Without immediate action, many of them will not have access to the healthcare and education they need. To do nothing is not an option.
ENDS
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an organization of over 190 member associations in more than 150 countries. Its mission is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide. World Diabetes Day is celebrated every November 14: 2007 is the IDF Year of the Child; visit www:worlddiabetesday.org for more information.
The Life for a Child Program provides life-saving diabetes supplies to over 500 children in 13 countries. Find out more at www.lifeforachild.idf.org
Facts
- 70,000 children develop type 1 diabetes annually
- 3% a year – rise of diabetes in children
- 440,000 children will live with type 1 diabetes in 2007
- South-East Asia has the highest number of children living with Type 1 diabetes
- Type 1 is increasing in low prevalence areas like Central and Eastern Europe
- Among the young, type 2 diabetes is thought to account for 2-3% of all types of diabetes
- Type 2 is an emerging problem. It has potentially serious outcomes, especially in some ethnic communities
- There is an increase in death caused by DKA
- Growing number of late complications in young adults in developed countries
