Alarming Rise in Late Diagnoses of Type 1 Diabetes Among Young Swedish Children

In Sweden, approximately 900 children under the age of 18 are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes annually, yet a concerning number are diagnosed only after their condition has become acute. According to the National Diabetes Register, 27% of new Type 1 diabetes cases are detected solely in these critical stages. This issue is even more pronounced in children under two years, where 55% are first diagnosed during an acute episode, a figure that has surged significantly over the past two years.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks insulin-producing cells, making timely diagnosis essential to prevent severe health outcomes. Late diagnosis often leads to ketoacidosis, a dangerous complication requiring intensive care. Experts like Peter Adolfsson from Region Skåne emphasize the importance of simple glucose or urine tests to catch the disease early, highlighting symptoms such as unusual thirst, fatigue, weight loss, and abdominal pain — though these can be hard to recognize in very young children.

Ahead of World Diabetes Day, advocates like Barndiabetesfonden are calling for increased screening and awareness to address these gaps. Additionally, there is a notable rise in Type 2 diabetes among young adults — up 35% from 2020 to 2024 — largely driven by lifestyle factors including diet and physical inactivity. Measures such as introducing a sugar tax and daily physical education in schools are proposed to combat this growing public health challenge.