LAUSR

The incidence and prevalence of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is suspected to be high in India, but in the absence of a nation-wide registry, it is not possible to be sure of the numbers. The Diabetes Atlas 2017 estimates that there are 128,500 children and adolescents with diabetes in India [1]. However, extrapolating from a prevalence of 0.54 per 1000 population in expatriate Indians in UK [2], this figure translates roughly to a prevalence of 700,000 in a population of 122 crores, assuming all T1D patients are diagnosed and all survive. Where are these children disappearing? It has indeed long been suspected that many children were dying before, or soon after diagnosis [3], reducing prevalence sharply. However, as the country experiences reduction in poverty, better communication and technology, greater awareness among health care personnel (HCP), and more trained specialists, this situation appears to be improving, with earlier diagnosis and increased survival.