An estimated 13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes each year in the United States, and more than 1 million American children and adults live with the disease every day. Previously known as juvenile diabetes, type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed among children and young adults. With this disease, the body does not produce insulin, a hormone that is necessary for the body to convert sugar (glucose) and starches as well as other food into the energy essential for daily life. In addition, having type 1 diabetes increases the risk for serious complications such as heart disease, blindness, nerve damage, and kidney damage.
A recent study has indicated that over the next decade, the incidence of type 1 diabetes among very young children will double in comparison to the number of cases recorded in 2005 if current trends continue. Although these indicators are based on the course of the disease in Europe, it is believed that the rate of increase will be similar in the U.S. Environmental factors are thought to be the driving force behind this increase, yet it remains unclear as to what these environmental vulnerabilities are. Researchers are looking at many possible factors including changes in lifestyles among nations with increasing wealth such as more births by caesarian section, greater height and weight, and fewer infections experienced early in life.
Christopher C. Patterson, Ph.D., an epidemiologist at Ireland's Queen's University in Belfast, and colleagues, have concluded that type 1 diabetes is increasing at a much faster rate among young children and teens than previously predicted. The study results can be found in the journal The Lancet. According to Patterson, “We are likely to see more children with severe diabetes complications presenting at earlier ages if we fail to recognize and adequately treat disease in very young patients.”
During their study, the researchers analyzed data gathered from the registries of 20 centers in 17 European countries. Information was included on 29,311 children having type 1 diabetes, who were registered between the years 1989 and 2003. Findings of the analysis revealed an overall increase in type 1 diabetes incidence of 3.9 percent annually.
The largest increase of 5.4 percent was seen in childen under the age of 5 years compared to an annual increase of 4.3 percent among children ages 5 through 9 years, and a rate of 2.9 percent among children ages 10 through 14 years. If this general course of increase continues, the total number of cases of type 1 diabetes is projected to jump by 70 percent by the year 2020, and rates are expected to double for children under the age of 5.
An estimated 15,000 cases of type 1 diabetes were diagnosed in Europe in 2005. Of those cases, children ages 4 and younger accounted for 24 percent, while those ages 5 through 9 accounted for 37 percent, and children 10 to 14 years of age accounted for 34 percent. The researchers predict that number could reach 24,400 new cases in 2020. With the continuation of current trends, the total number of new and existing cases in European children under the age of 15 could jump from 94,000 in 2005 to 160,000 in 2020.
To prepare for the future case growth, Patterson wrote, “In the absence of any effective means to prevent Type 1 diabetes, European countries need to ensure appropriate planning of services and that resources are in place to provide high- quality care for the increased numbers of children who will be diagnosed with diabetes in future years.”
source from http://www.healthnews.com
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