The Scots are third in the world for child cases of Type 1 diabetes .
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 stated that nearly 900 youngsters aged under 18, some whose parents were not aware they were suffering from Type 1 diabetes, were admitted to hospital north of the Border with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
DKA happens when blood glucose levels are high (hyperglycaemia), causing nausea, stomach pain, vomitting and rapid breathing, and can lead to coma and death.
Scotland has the third highest incidence of Type 1 diabetes in children in the world, after Finland and Sardinia. Scientists consider genetic factors and viruses are to blame. Numbers are increasing at 2-3 per cent each year.
Diabetes campaigners have stated that emergency admission rates, are up a quarter over the past five years and that they can 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 are an implant under the skin and can deliver small doses of insulin throughout the day, controlling sugar levels. They are ideal for children or they do not have to calculate their own sugar levels after meals or sport.
They cost about £2,000-£3,000 and are widely used in England. However, there are presently just 57 young children aged under 15 in Scotland have them. Diabetes UK Scotland is highly concerned that there are many cases of DKA which occur as Type 1 diabetes is undiagnosed.
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