Children’s diabetes testing falls short

Three quarters of children aged 12 and older in England and Wales with diabetes did not have their recommended 7 health checks last year, although overall diabetes control rates have improved.

According to the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit report published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, in 2014-15, 23.5% of children were deemed to have excellent control of the condition compared with 15.8% in 2012/13. But only 25.4% of those aged 12 and over had all 7 recommended health checks.  

Guidance

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance is that children with diabetes should have HbA1c (the standard blood glucose test) levels checked.

Those aged 12 and over should also have 6 annual checks of kidney function, cholesterol, eyesight, blood pressure, BMI and feet. 

Libby Dowling, paediatric specialist nurse and senior clinical adviser at Diabetes UK, commented: ‘The number having the 7 checks has gone up from last year, but is still low.’

Health checks for diabetes 2014-15

• Percentage of children (all ages) achieving excellent diabetes control: 15.8% in 2012-13; 23.5% in 2014-15
• Mean HbA1c in mmol/mol: 71 girls with diabetes aged 10-14 in 2014-15; 69.9 boys with diabetes aged 10-14 in 2014-15
• Percentages of 12 years and older in England and Wales with type 1 diabetes: 2.5% are underweight; 57.4% have a healthy weight; 19% are overweight; 20.7% are obese

See the report at tinyurl.com/RCPCH-diabetes