Scots third in world for child cases of Type 1 diabetes – and it's getting worse

CHILDREN in Scotland are more likely to be admitted to hospital accident and emergency departments with a potentially life-threatening diabetic complication than anywhere else in the UK, figures released today will reveal.

Diabetes UK said almost 900 youngsters aged under 18 – some whose parents were unaware they were suffering from Type 1 diabetes – were admitted to hospital north of the Border with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

DKA occurs when blood glucose levels are high (hyperglycaemia) causing nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, rapid breathing, and may lead to coma and death.

Scotland has the third highest incidence of Type 1 diabetes in children in the world, behind Finland and Sardinia. Scientists believe genetic factors and viruses may be to blame. Numbers are increasing at 2-3 per cent each year.

Diabetes campaigners say emergency admission rates, up a quarter over the past five years, could be cut significantly by providing better access to paediatric specialist diabetes teams, issuing insulin pumps, and through diabetic education for pupils, teachers and parents.

The pumps, an implant under the skin, deliver tiny doses of insulin throughout the day, controlling sugar levels, and are ideal for children, freeing them from calculating their own sugar levels after meals or sport.

Costing about 2,000-3,000, they are widely used in England but currently only 57 young children aged under 15 in Scotland have them. Diabetes UK Scotland is also concerned that in many cases DKA occurs because Type 1 diabetes is undiagnosed.

In England 3,345 young people under 25 were admitted in the same timescale up to March last year. Jane-Claire Judson, Diabetes UK Scotland national director, said: "It's truly concerning to see such high numbers of children being rushed to A&E with this life-threatening complication.

"The number of emergency admissions could be reduced significantly with increased awareness and education but also with greater investment in paediatric diabetes care."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We recognises the importance of addressing the needs of children and young people, who have Type 1 diabetes. We fully expect that they should receive the best possible care and support in their early life in order to reduce the risk of complications, including diabetic ketoacidosis.

"The Type 1 Diabetes Short Life Working Group is due to publish a report later in 2010 which will include recommendations on tackling the incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis and improving management of the condition.

"We want our revised Diabetes Action Plan, when it is published later this year, to link with and strengthen the work under way aimed at preventing and effectively treating emergencies such as diabetic ketoacidosis."

Frightening experiences led to campaign for better care

WHEN Gavin Foord, 11, was a baby his parents said he could "drink for Scotland" and was always thirsty – one of the signs of diabetes.

But despite several trips to the GP, his parents Collette and Graeme, from Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, were told there was nothing to worry about.

Then the day after Gavin's sixth birthday Mrs Foord, a chef, noticed an orange, sticky, sugar-like substance on the toilet seat.

She thought Gavin had poured juice down the toilet, but when it happened again she suspected a urine infection. However, the Foords were shocked when after the urine was analysed their GP told them to pack Gavin's pyjamas and take him to Yorkhill children's hospital in Glasgow immediately.

"Gavin was hooked up to various machines and we were told his blood sugar levels were at 48 instead of the normal 4-8," said Mr Foord, a videographer. "It was very frightening. We were then told he had Type 1 diabetes and was suffering from DKA. We were given information about it, but we had to learn a lot very quickly."

Looking back, the Foords realised Gavin, who had a hearty appetite and rarely ate sweets, had lost weight and was listless.

Gavin now has to check his blood sugar levels up to five times a day and use an insulin injection pen.

But the family, who are now campaigning for improvements in diabetic care, say they still experience heart-stopping moments.

Mrs Foord said: "Last August Gavin caught a bug at scout camp affecting his sugar levels. We got a phone call to say he was on his way to hospital.

"I got one of the biggest frights of my life when I saw him. He was grey, like a waxen doll, shivering despite having a temperature, and his veins had shrunk. After treatment he was fine, but it could be a different story for someone who doesn't know their child has Type 1 diabetes in the first place."