Summary

This report provides information on Type 1 diabetes among children from Australia’s National Diabetes Register (NDR). The register holds information on Australians who began using insulin for diabetes since 1999.

The report focuses on children with Type 1 diabetes who were aged 0–14 years when they began using insulin. It includes information on the prevalence of the disease among children aged 0–14 years who were registered on the NDR as at 31 December 2008 by age, sex, and state or territory of current residence. It also provides projections of prevalence in 2013.

Main findings

  • Over 5,700 Australian children aged 0–14 years had Type 1 diabetes in 2008. This equates to a prevalence of 138 cases per 100,000 population.
  • There was no significant difference in the prevalence rate between boys and girls.
  • The prevalence increased with age, from 29 cases per 100,000 in 0–4 year olds to 256 cases per 100,000 in 10–14 year olds.
  • The prevalence of Type 1 diabetes in 0–14 year olds varied by state and territory. It was lowest in the Northern Territory (62 cases per 100,000 population). In the other jurisdictions, it ranged from 130 cases per 100,000 in New South Wales to 188 cases per 100,000 in Tasmania.
  • Assuming new cases continue increasing at the current rate, it is estimated that the prevalence rate of Type 1 diabetes in children aged 0–14 years will increase by 10% between 2008 and 2013.