Type 1 Diabetes on the Rise in NSW Children

Dr Maria Craig, Paediatric Endocrinologist from the Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetes at the Children's Hospital at Westmead, and colleagues, say that the increase is significant and should be taken into account when planning resources for the management of childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in NSW.

From 1990 to 2002, 3260 children under 15 years of age were diagnosed with T1DM. The incidence increased significantly in both sexes and in all age groups.

The increase in incidence of childhood T1DM was more marked in the early 1990s, with a plateau in incidence from 1997 to 2002. This plateau may represent a short-term temporal variation, and the change in incidence over the 13-year period probably gives a better indication of longer term trends, says Dr Craig.

"The incidence of childhood T1DM in NSW would now be classified as 'very high', and comparable with rates in other populations with high annual incidence rates of T1DM, such as Western Australia, Finland, Sardinia, Canada, Norway, Aberdeen (UK) and Canterbury (NZ). In many of these populations, there has also been a rise in overweight and obesity in children - factors traditionally associated with type 2 diabetes,.

Because these trends in incidence of T1DM have occurred over a relatively short period of time, they are most likely related to environmental factors, rather than changes in population susceptibility. Various environmental factors have been suggested, including enteroviruses, early introduction of cow's milk protein in the diet, and higher rates of insulin resistance related to obesity.

"Identifying incidence trends allows appropriate resource planning for the ongoing needs of these children and their families," Dr Craig says.

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

CONTACT Dr Maria CRAIG 02 9845 2896 / 0417 233 064

Judith TOKLEY, AMA Public Affairs, 0408 824 306 / 02 6270 5471