'High' and 'Rising' Diabetes Mortality Rate Among Children In The UK Compared To Other European Countries

A research revealed that the number of youngsters aged between 15 and 24 are losing their lives in the United Kingdom because of diabetes. The mortality rate linked to this disease is on the rise in the country and is on the higher side compared with other European countries.

The revelation came soon after the Institute of Child Health at University College London concluded its study that spanned across 15 years. They found that although a few children in the nation die from diabetes, the overall management and control of the disease is poor. This resulted in an increase in diabetes mortality rate of the youth in the United Kingdom as opposed to the statistics gathered from other countries in western Europe.

According to the study results, the death rate among boys and men aged between 15 and 24 has nearly doubled since 2000. The statistics show that the mortality rate in the United Kingdom has even bypassed the rate in the United States as well.

“This is a significant concern given that we know that diabetes control is poor. This is going that next step and saying that death is rising,” said the study author, Professor Russell Viner.

On the positive side, the study revealed that the mortality rate for younger children aged between 1 and 14 has fallen over the past years. Surprisingly, the recorded decline in mortality is greater than any other European country.

Even though the researchers have not commented on the reasons for an increase in the diabetes mortality rate, quality of health care and poverty are believed to be the major contributors. According to Express, there are approximately 35,000 children under the age of 19 that suffer from diabetes in the UK.

A previously published Welsh study claimed that children with Type 1 diabetes are five times more likely to be hospitalised than those without the disease. A recent survey conducted by the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit revealed that children and youngsters who reside in deprived areas are more likely to develop the disease than white ethnic groups who live in affluent places since the latter have better control over diabetes.

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