ill to a primary care physician and then ended up bringing the same child to a hospital emergency ward within the next four weeks.
In 64 of the cases, the primary care physicians did spot type 1 symptoms and quickly referred the child to hospital emergency care, the Swedish team reports. But in 48 other cases, these referrals were delayed.
“Classic symptoms of thirst, polyuria [excessive urination], tiredness and weight loss were the most common in both groups,” they note. In many cases, despite these classic symptoms, “urinary glucose [sugar] or blood glucose levels were not tested.
In cases with a delayed diagnosis, “blood glucose or urinary glucose had been tested at the primary health care center” only 42% of the time, despite kids showing classic type 1 symptoms, the study found.
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And in many cases where elevated blood glucose levels were confirmed, children were still “not directly referred to hospital,” the researchers found.
The bottom line, according to the investigators: as many as 43% of these children were not immediately referred to a pediatric emergency ward, indicating a substantial doctor’s delay.
Improved knowledge and general awareness of diabetes symptoms among both caregivers and among medical professionals working in the primary health care sector are paramount in improving this situation and preventing diabetic ketoacidosis.
If you notice any of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes, it is important that you let your child’s doctor know immediately.