Type 1 diabetes frequently diagnosed late after onset of dangerous DKA

One in four children who are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are only being diagnosed at the stage where ketoacidosis has set in. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious short term complication of diabetes, caused by very high blood sugar levels, which can result in death if not treated early enough.
The charities, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Diabetes UK, are teaming up to heighten awareness of the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes as one in three children are being diagnosed only on repeat visits to the doctors.
The statistics demonstrate a greater need for healthcare professionals, as well as the general public, to be aware of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes, such as extreme thirst, daily fatigue, loss of weight, blurred vision and frequent urination, particularly any recent onset of bed-wetting.
Type 1 diabetes is more common than some may think with about 29,000 children in the UK affected, that’s one in 450 children having type 1 diabetes. Sarah Johnso, Director of Policy and Communication at the JDRF points out that type 1 diabetes is five times more than common than meningitis and therefore professionals and parents need to be aware of the symptoms to prevent children being rushed to hospital once the condition has become critical.