World Diabetes Day 2025

Help us spot type 1 diabetes early and prevent life-threatening complications.

Type 1 diabetes can present at any age but most commonly presents in children and young people. It is not caused by lifestyle factors. It is an auto-immune condition, where antibodies cause the pancreas to stop making insulin, resulting in high blood glucose levels.

People living with type 1 diabetes need lifelong insulin treatment to manage their condition and keep them well. More than 90% of children and young people with diabetes in England have type 1 diabetes.

Early diagnosis saves lives

Nearly 40% of children and young people in England are in life-threatening Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis – and this percentage is rising. It can be difficult to spot type 1 diabetes in the early stages, especially in younger children and infants. Often, children also present with an acute illness like a viral infection or tonsillitis, so it is important to be vigilant for the symptoms and signs of type 1 diabetes.

Know the 4Ts

This World Diabetes Day, NHS England is raising awareness of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes by promoting the ‘4Ts’ via public and patient-facing channels. Look out for these four key symptoms of new onset type 1 diabetes:

• Toilet – going for a wee more often, especially at night. In younger children this may include new bedwetting, or nappies being heavier than usual
• Thirsty – being constantly thirsty and drinking more than usual
• Tired – being very tired and having less energy
• Thinner – losing weight without trying to or looking thinner than usual

Take urgent action

If you think you or your child has type 1 diabetes, ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 online.

For clinicians, if you or your team suspect new onset type 1 diabetes, take these urgent steps:

1. Check a finger prick glucose level immediately to help make the diagnosis
2. Refer for same day specialist review, following your local care pathway
3. Continue to follow NICE guidance and advice when assessing and diagnosing patients

Learn more and help raise awareness of the 4Ts

• Boost your knowledge of the condition with this 5-minute PowerPoint presentation on DKA prevention for non-specialists by the Children and Young People’s Diabetes Network
• Visit the Diabetes UK website for 4Ts campaign information and resources
• Access age-appropriate 4Ts resources for children, young people and their parents or carers at DigiBete