The incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes in Irealnd and the National Childhood Diabetes Register.

Abstract

The incidence of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in childhood and adolescence is increasing globally with few exceptions. To date limited conflicting data has been available regarding diabetes epidemiology in Ireland. We sought to determine the incidence of T1D in those aged under 15 years in the ROI by establishing a prospective national register of incident cases (Irish Childhood Diabetes National Registry (ICDNR)) using a standardised protocol which includes a measure of case ascertainment using capture-recapture methodology. In the period, 489 new cases were identified. All paediatric centres nationally participated. The directly standardised incidence rate was 27.5 per 100,000 per year (95%CIs: 24.0, 30.9) and 26.0 (95%CIs: 22.7, 29.3) in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The ICDNR is widely acceptable, it has confirmed a high incidence of T1D and is vital to monitor changes in disease incidence, optimise resource utilisation and diabetes management in the Irish population.