Diabetes for Young People
The number of people with diabetes of all types is predicted to increase rapidly over the coming years.
The current estimate of prevalence in the UK is one per 700–1,000 children, yielding a total population with Type 1 diabetes aged under 25 years in the UK of approximately 25,000. The peak age for diagnosis is between 10 and 14 years of age.
Type 2 diabetes is also on the increase possibly due to the increased proportion of obese children in the population. Children who develop diabetes as secondary to surviving treatment for other conditions, including cystic fibrosis and cancer chemotherapy are now being cared for by specialist diabetes teams.(Source material: Making every young person with diabetes matter, DoH publication; 2007)
The National Service framework for Diabetes sets out 12 standards necessary to improve diabetes care.
Standard 5 of this document aims to provide all children and young people with diabetes consistently high-quality care and that they, with their families and others involved in their day-to-day care, will be supported to optimise the control of their blood glucose and their physical, psychological, intellectual, educational and social development.