Increasing case load of childhood diabetes (0‐14) in Leicestershire

The causes of childhood diabetes in Leicestershire were determined from 1920 onwards. Results demonstrate a statistically significant increase in case numbers since 1950. Three possible reasons for this are given which are: change in ascertainment, involving the development of community‐based care for diabetes in Leicestershire from the 1950s; a possible altered concept of diabetes and its diagnosis; and, most likely, that there has been a real increase in the incidence of diabetes. Given this increased workload on health care services, it is concluded that although diabetes care in Leicestershire was good in the 1960s, more health professionals are needed in Leicestershire and in the UK in order to equal the care given in past years.