Odette Myall
Head of Content, Breakthrough T1D
One quarter of children in the UK are still being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes only once they develop diabetic ketoacidosis,1 a serious and preventable medical emergency.
The latest figures from the NHS show that the number of children experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis has risen by 3% in the past year.1 Early detection is transforming healthcare across many conditions, enabling treatment before emergencies occur and improving long-term outcomes.
Early type 1 detection changes futures
Thanks to decades of research, we now understand how to identify type 1 diabetes before symptoms develop. By identifying type 1 diabetes before symptoms become severe, children can avoid frightening hospital admissions and overwhelming life changes.
At Breakthrough T1D, we believe that with the right actions and support, we can change the future for children who develop type 1 diabetes. We are calling for a national early detection pathway that combines free, targeted screening with access to emerging treatments, alongside ongoing monitoring and personalised support.
Early detection opens the door to
better health outcomes and management.
Delaying type 1 transforms care
We now have the world’s first immunotherapy drug, which can delay the progression of type 1 diabetes by preserving the body’s ability to produce insulin for longer. New treatments like this offer hope by allowing us to delay the onset of clinical diabetes, giving families crucial time to prepare. Combined with regular monitoring, these advances could transform how T1D is experienced and managed.
When families know what to expect and receive timely care, diagnosis does not have to be a medical emergency. Early detection opens the door to better health outcomes and management.
Awareness saves young lives
While promising early detection studies are underway in the UK, there is still no national screening programme. Without this, many children continue to miss the chance for early intervention. Until a national programme is established, awareness of the four Ts remains our most powerful tool for spotting early signs:
- Toilet: going more often
- Thirsty: constant drinking
- Tired: feeling unusually tired
- Thinner: losing weight without explanation
Recognising these symptoms could save a child’s life. Increasing awareness and improving early detection are key steps toward changing the story of type 1 diabetes.
[1] National Paediatric Diabetes Audit (NPDA). 2025. Report on Care and Outcomes 2023/24.
