Children with diabetes who live in deprived areas are at a greater risk of developing complications such as blindness and amputation than youngsters from affluent backgrounds, a leading charity has warned.

Diabetes UK carried out an audit of almost 2,000 children and young people who suffer from diabetes and were treated in a paediatric unit. The study looked at their blood glucose control along with factors that might explain any differences.

These factors included the age children were diagnosed, how long they had diabetes, the type of area they lived in and the size of the clinic they were treated in.

The study, published recently in the journal, Diabetic Medicine, found that on average, blood glucose levels in children with diabetes from the most deprived areas were 0.5% higher than those from the most affluent areas. Blood glucose levels were also higher in those who were diagnosed at an older age and those who had diabetes for longer.

Diabetes UK Northern Ireland said this result is particularly worrying because reducing blood glucose levels by 1% reduces the risk of diabetes-related deaths by 21%, heart attacks by 14% and retinopathy and kidney disease by 37%. It is thought that children from affluent areas are better able to manage their condition.