Screening for diabetic kidney disease (nephropathy) or its earlier stage, microalbuminuria, is important. The person with diabetes and the carer both need to know with absolute certainty whether nephropathy is developing. They need to know because it is possible to prevent or at least delay further progression of the disorder. This again is important because diabetic nephropathy, if left untreated, is such a serious complication in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Diabetic nephropathy will develop in about one third of people with diabetes Type 1 and in about 8% of people with Type 2 diabetes.