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Increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes in New Zealand children <15 years of age in a regional‐based diabetes service, Auckland, New Zealand
Author(s) -
Sjardin Natalia,
Reed Peter,
Albert Ben,
Mouat Fran,
Carter Phillipa J,
Hofman Paul,
Cutfield Wayne,
Gunn Alistair,
Jefferies Craig
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/jpc.13924
Subject(s) - medicine , incidence (geometry) , pacific islanders , demography , population , pediatrics , diabetes mellitus , confidence interval , body mass index , cohort , type 2 diabetes mellitus , endocrinology , environmental health , physics , sociology , optics
Aim It is important to understand whether type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing in childhood for health‐care planning and clinical management. The aim of this study is to examine the incidence of T2DM in New Zealand children, aged <15 years from a paediatric diabetes centre, Auckland, New Zealand. Methods Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from a population‐based referral cohort from 1995 to 2015. Results Hundred and four children presented with T2DM over the 21‐year period. The female:male ratio was 1.8:1, at mean (standard deviation) age 12.9 (1.9) years, body mass index standard deviation score +2.3 (0.5), blood sugar 15.3 (8.5) mmol/L, HbA1c 76 (28) mmol/mol. At diagnosis, 90% had acanthosis nigricans and 48% were symptomatic. In all, 33% were Maori, 46% Pacific Island, 15% Asian/Middle Eastern and 6% European. There was a progressive secular increase of 5% year on year in incidence. The overall annual incidence of T2DM <15 years of age was 1.5/100 000 (1.2–1.9) (95% confidence interval), with higher rates in Pacific Island (5.9/100 000) and Maori (4.1/100 000). Conclusions The incidence of T2DM in children <15 years of age in New Zealand has increased progressively at 5%/year over the last 21 years. The risk was disproportionately associated with girls and children from high‐risk ethnic groups.