Australia records one of the world’s higher rates of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children, and diagnoses have been trending upward for more than a decade. T1D is an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas stops producing insulin. Without insulin, the body can’t regulate blood glucose, so treatment requires lifelong insulin therapy and regular monitoring.
“We’re seeing roughly a thousand new diagnoses each year in Australians under 15,” said Dr. Maria Craig of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, noting increases across boys and girls and all age groups.
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
- Autoimmune—not lifestyle-caused. The immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells. It isn’t caused by sugar intake or inactivity, and it isn’t currently preventable.
- Day-to-day management. Most children use multiple daily injections or an insulin pump, and monitor glucose with a meter or continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
- Autoimmune “neighbors.” Children with T1D are often screened for other autoimmune conditions such as coeliac disease.
How Common Is It?
By international standards, Australia is a higher-incidence country for childhood T1D, comparable to parts of Scandinavia, the UK, New Zealand, and North America. For a clear, parent-friendly overview of T1D, see the National Diabetes Services Scheme: NDSS – About Type 1 Diabetes.
Why Are Cases Rising?
Researchers point to a mix of genetic susceptibility plus possible environmental triggers (for example, some viral exposures). No single factor has been proven to cause T1D, and there is currently no diet, supplement, or behavior shown to prevent it.
Symptoms Parents Should Watch For
- Increased thirst and frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss; tiredness or irritability
- Abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
- Fruity-smelling breath, deep/rapid breathing, or confusion (possible signs of diabetic ketoacidosis, an emergency)
What to Do If You Notice Symptoms
- Contact your GP today and request a finger-stick blood glucose test and a urine/ketone check.
- If your child is vomiting, very drowsy, or breathing rapidly, seek urgent care to rule out diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
- If diagnosed, ask about diabetes education, CGM and pump options, and school support plans.
Living Well with T1D
With modern insulin regimens, pumps, CGMs, diabetes education and family support, children with T1D can live full, active lives—playing sport, attending school camps, and doing everything their peers do. Practical routines around meals and movement help day-to-day management; see balanced breakfast and snack ideas and guidance on how much weekly activity helps.
This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. If you’re concerned about symptoms, consult a healthcare professional promptly.