New campaign launched to raise awareness of childhood diabetes
Katy Morton
Thursday, November 8, 2012
A quarter of children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes are already seriously ill, as nine out of ten parents are unaware of the main symptoms of the condition, according to a new survey.
The IPSOS Mori poll of 1,170 parents, on behalf of the charity Diabetes UK, found that just nine per cent were able to correctly identify that frequently urinating, excessive thirst, extreme tiredness and unexplained weight loss are all symptoms of the condition.
While some parents were aware of individual symptoms, the majority were unable to identify all four.
Diabetes UK blames a lack of understanding among parents as one of the reasons that a quarter of children are only being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes once they are seriously ill with diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition which needs immediate specialist treatment.
To address this, Diabetes UK has today (Wednesday) launched a campaign to highlight the ‘4 Ts’ of Type 1 diabetes symptoms - Toilet, Thirsty, Tired and Thinner.
The charity is also hoping to raise awareness among healthcare professionals that they need to test for Type 1 diabetes as soon as a child presents with any symptoms, as the onset can be extremely quick.
Barbara Young, chief executive for Diabetes UK, said, ‘The symptoms of Type 1 diabetes are so obvious and pronounced that there is no reason why every child with the condition cannot be diagnosed straight away.
'But the stark reality is that a quarter of children with Type 1 diabetes becomes seriously unwell before being diagnosed and we need to bring this appalling situation to an end. I fear that unless there is a big increase in awareness of symptoms, we will continue to see hundreds of children a year become seriously ill completely needlessly.
‘If you have a child or work with children, you need to make it your business to know the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes. We hope the 4 Ts will make them easier to remember and so help ensure children with the condition get diagnosed at the right time.’
While some parents were aware of individual symptoms, the majority were unable to identify all four.
Diabetes UK blames a lack of understanding among parents as one of the reasons that a quarter of children are only being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes once they are seriously ill with diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition which needs immediate specialist treatment.
To address this, Diabetes UK has today (Wednesday) launched a campaign to highlight the ‘4 Ts’ of Type 1 diabetes symptoms - Toilet, Thirsty, Tired and Thinner.
The charity is also hoping to raise awareness among healthcare professionals that they need to test for Type 1 diabetes as soon as a child presents with any symptoms, as the onset can be extremely quick.
Barbara Young, chief executive for Diabetes UK, said, ‘The symptoms of Type 1 diabetes are so obvious and pronounced that there is no reason why every child with the condition cannot be diagnosed straight away.
'But the stark reality is that a quarter of children with Type 1 diabetes becomes seriously unwell before being diagnosed and we need to bring this appalling situation to an end. I fear that unless there is a big increase in awareness of symptoms, we will continue to see hundreds of children a year become seriously ill completely needlessly.
‘If you have a child or work with children, you need to make it your business to know the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes. We hope the 4 Ts will make them easier to remember and so help ensure children with the condition get diagnosed at the right time.’
