"I think diabetes is outrunning us"

New cases of diabetes in children this year have already reached 18, up from around five in previous years, overwhelming the medical profession and health services, according to a specialist.

Paediatric endocrinologist John Torpiano told The Sunday Times yesterday that the "greatly increased incidence" was frustrating.

Although the increase in children under 14 was evident, the reason was unknown and therefore could not be prevented. All doctors could do was treat whoever came along.

International studies carried out on the issue had been inconclusive, he said.

Dr Torpiano was speaking at a seminar on 'Living with Diabetes' organised by the Maltese Diabetes Association.

He called for better education for the public to be able to recognise the symptoms and bring them to medical attention early.

"One of the problems is that if the symptoms are not recognised, diagnosis is delayed, meaning that, on presentation, the children can be worse off, more unwell and more difficult to manage." Among the many symptoms is increased thirst, with children needing to drink huge volumes of water constantly.

Incessant urinating is another, and some children even lose continence at night even though they are old enough not to.

Weight loss is also a symptom, although it is not readily apparent as few parents weigh their children as regularly as they should, Dr Torpiano said.

Awareness is increasing, but not at the same rate as the incidence, he pointed out.

"We need to increase the infrastructure, get more nutritionists and diabetes educators and nurses on board, as well as psychologists. Diabetes is not like other illnesses... it is forever and has an impact on everyday life, growth and psyche."

"We are getting there, but too slowly. I think diabetes is outrunning us," Dr Torpiano warned.

Opening the seminar, the association's president Anne McKeon and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Department head Charmaine Gauci stressed the importance of continuous information on diabetes for patients and their families.

Type 1 diabetes is increasing at a rate of three per cent a year - around 70,000 children worldwide develop the condition annually. In Malta, around 10 per cent of the population have diabetes, while others remain undiagnosed. Statistics show that the percentage could increase to 11.6 per cent, up by around 5,000, in 15 years.

It is also estimated that the 246 million sufferers worldwide will increase to 380 million by 2025. Every year, seven million contract the condition, and every 10 seconds, someone dies of diabetes.

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