Childhood diabetes is a chronic condition with significant implications for the child, their family, and healthcare professionals.

Type 1 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in children. In France, the incidence of type 1 diabetes was estimated at 19.1 per 100,000 among children aged 6 months to 14 years in 2015, representing 2,286 newly diagnosed children that year. This incidence increased by an average of 4% per year between 2010 and 2015 [1]. This increase has been observed globally and in Europe for over 20 years, but its causes are poorly understood.

Significant variations in the incidence rate of type 1 diabetes are observed across countries worldwide. France is among the countries with an incidence rate at an intermediate level. In France, regional variations in the incidence rate have also been observed. Between 2013 and 2015, 6,424 children were identified as newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The incidence rate over this period was 18.0 per 100,000 person-years. Regional variations were observed, with incidence rates [2]:

• the highest in the regions of Corsica (21.7 per 100,000 person-years), Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (21.1), and Hauts-de-France (19.7).

• The lowest rates were observed in French Guiana (3.6 per 100,000 person-years), Guadeloupe (12.2), and Réunion (14.2)—and in metropolitan France in the regions of Pays de la Loire (15.8), Nouvelle-Aquitaine (16.8), and Normandy (16.9).

A review of epidemiological data and epidemiological surveillance needs regarding childhood diabetes was published in 2007 as a report by the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) at the request of the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) [3].

Reference:
[1] Piffaretti, C., Mandereau-Bruno, L., Guilmin-Crepon, S., Choleau, C., Coutant, R., & Fosse-Edorh, S. (2019). Trends in childhood type 1 diabetes incidence in France, 2010–2015. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 149, 200–207.

[2] Piffaretti C, Mandereau-Bruno L, Guilmin-Crepon S, Choleau C, Coutant R, Fosse-Edorh S. Incidence of type 1 diabetes in children in France in 2013–2015, based on the National Health Data System (SNDS). Regional variations. Bull Epidémiol Hebd. 2017,(27-28):571-8.

[3] Levy-Marchal C, Fagot-Campagna A, Daniel M. Epidemiological surveillance of diabetes in children. Saint-Maurice (France): Institute for Public Health Surveillance, November 2007.

Learn more:

• Fagot-Campagna A, Dossou Y, Fournier C, Penfornis A, Cabanel-Gicquel MC, Poutignat N, Gautier A, Weill A, Druet C. Epidemiology of type 1 diabetes. La revue du praticien en médecine générale 2011 (June), 862 (25).

• Levy-Marchal C. What has measuring the incidence of childhood diabetes taught us? Bull Épidémiol Hebd 2007, 44-45:374-377.

• Romon I, Auleley G-R, Weill A, Gosselin S, Perez P, Van-Bockstael V, Fagot-Campagna A. The incidence of long-term hospital admissions for diabetes in children in France, 2003–2005. Bull Épidémiol Hebd 2007, 44-45:378-380.

• Tubiana-Rufin N, Szerman-Nathan N, Ramos E, Bubuteishvili E, Chevenne D, Levy-Marchal C, Czernichow P. Increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes in a large French pediatric cohort, 2001–2003. Bull Épidémiol Hebd 2007, 44-45:381-384.

• Key epidemiological findings from Entred-Enfant.

• Tubiana-Rufi N, Lahaie E, Jacquin P, Guitard-Munnich C, Houdan J, du Pasquier L. Transition from pediatric to adult care for diabetic adolescents: to be or not to be lost in translation? Arch Pediatr. 2007 Jun,14(6):659-61. Epub 2007