Quarter of emergency diabetes cases are young people

Figures released by the charity Diabetes UK for April 2008 to March 2009 show that under-18s accounted for around a quarter of emergency admissions for diabetic ketoacidosis, when blood glucose levels are high.

This causes vomiting, stomach pains and can even lead to the patient falling into a coma if left untreated.

Diabetes UK is concerned that the figures could indicate that type 1 diabetes is not being diagnosed at an early stage.

The figures also show the need to invest in specialist diabetes services for young people, said Douglas Smallwood, Diabetes UK chief executive.

He said: "Children and their parents desperately need better access to paediatric specialist diabetes teams. The number of emergency admissions could be reduced significantly with investment in appropriate care, diabetes advice and practical self-management support."

For all ages the number of hospital admissions for diabetic ketoacidosis has risen by just under nine per cent since 2006.