Analysis of 20 years of prospective registration of childhood onset diabetes - time trends and birth cohort effects

Abstract

The incidence of childhood onset diabetes is rapidly increasing in Sweden, with a shift towards the younger age groups but with no trend in birth cohorts. Precipitating rather than initiating environmental risk factors are suggested, and the correlation to gross domestic product may suggest risk factors associated with wealth-such as a high growth rate, a known risk factor for childhood diabetes.