Some one in six children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in Ireland are admitted to hospital with diabetic ketoacidosis, (DKA), a life threatening complication of the disease. Recent research from the UK suggests a number of these admissions could be avoided with earlier diagnosis.
The Birmingham research team surveyed 300 GPs on the timeliness of their reference of a young person they suspected of Type 1 diabetes to a specialist diabetes paediatric team.
The results showed that two thirds of children were referred promptly, while one third received a delayed referral to hospital. As a result some 50 per cent of children newly diagnosed with diabetes developed DKA.
There are about 16,000 people with type 1 diabetes in the Republic, of whom almost 3,000 are under 16 years of age.
Diabetes Ireland is currently targeting GPs, schools, parent groups, crèches and pharmacies to increase awareness of the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and the urgency in confirming Type 1 diabetes and treating it early.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition affecting 1 in 500 children that develops over days or weeks. The condition, which requires daily insulin treatment, occurs most commonly in childhood or early adult life and will require daily insulin therapy.
It is caused by the body’s own immune system destroying the insulin-making cells of the pancreas. Meanwhile, Type 2 diabetes is the result of cells in the body becoming less sensitive to circulating insulin.
There are four main symptoms of Type 1 diabetes: a marked thirst that is resistant to increased drinking; excessive tiredness; rapid weight loss over a short period; and increased urination, especially at night.
According to clinical guidelines a child with these symptoms needs to have a same-day finger prick estimation of blood glucose followed by prompt hospital referral to a specialist paediatric diabetes team.
The campaign to increase public awareness of Type 1 diabetes, its symptoms and its complications is welcome. It must be matched with appropriate postgraduate education initiatives for GPs.