Health

Finland Tops Global Rankings for Childhood Type 1 Diabetes as Cases Surge Worldwide

Published

6 days ago

December 5, 2024

RTX

Finland has the highest rate of childhood type 1 diabetes globally, according to a recent analysis that highlights a nearly 40% increase in cases worldwide since 1990.

The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, reveals that more than 222,000 children under the age of 15 were living with type 1 diabetes in 2021. The condition, a chronic autoimmune disorder requiring daily insulin injections, cannot be prevented through diet or exercise, unlike many cases of type 2 diabetes.

In Finland, nearly 70 out of every 100,000 children under 15 were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2021, the highest rate worldwide. Other European countries with elevated rates include Malta, Ireland, Italy, Norway, and Spain, all exceeding 30 cases per 100,000. By contrast, countries in Central and Eastern Europe, such as Belarus, Moldova, Romania, and Lithuania, reported rates of 10 or lower.

Growing Global Burden

Childhood type 1 diabetes incidence has risen slightly in recent years, from 10.9 per 100,000 children in 2019 to 11.1 in 2021. Eastern Europe recorded the sharpest regional increase, the study found.

Despite the growing prevalence, advancements in treatment have reduced mortality. In 2021, the global death toll among children under 15 with type 1 diabetes was 4,280. “This trend reflects significant progress in management and care,” said Dr. Xiaodong Sun, a clinical researcher at the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University in China and one of the study’s authors.

However, Sun emphasized that addressing childhood diabetes prevention remains challenging. The condition increases the risk of severe health complications later in life, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and vision problems.

Socioeconomic and Environmental Factors

Access to healthcare plays a crucial role in early diagnosis and treatment, with most patients living in high-income countries. “Timely diagnosis is more accessible in these regions,” the researchers noted.

Environmental factors may also contribute to higher rates in northern countries like Finland. Limited exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight could influence the immune system, potentially increasing susceptibility to diabetes.

Meanwhile, South Asia, particularly India, had the highest number of childhood diabetes cases, while eastern sub-Saharan Africa reported the highest death rates.

Calls for Early Intervention

The study underscores the need for proactive measures to reduce the global impact of childhood diabetes. “Early interventions such as genetic risk monitoring and new immunotherapy treatments are vital,” Sun said.

By addressing these challenges, researchers hope to improve outcomes for children worldwide and mitigate the growing burden of this life-altering condition.

Health

Winter Viruses Surge Across Europe, Prompting Health Concerns

Published

3 days ago

December 8, 2024

RTX

European nations are grappling with the resurgence of multiple winter viruses, raising concerns about the strain on healthcare systems. Experts warn of a potential “triple threat” involving influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 as these illnesses circulate simultaneously.

Antoine Flahault, director of the Institute of Global Health at the University of Geneva, highlighted the significant impact of winter viruses. “The serious forms of these infections, though infrequent, contribute to hospital saturation during epidemic peaks,” he told Euronews Health.

The European Respiratory Virus Surveillance Summary (ERVISS) reports that consultations for respiratory illnesses remain within expected levels in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA), though some countries are experiencing increases in viral activity.

Winter Viruses in Circulation

Flu, a major seasonal illness, continues to cause concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that while influenza levels were low in the EU and EEA in late November, they have been increasing in some areas. Severe cases of flu can lead to hospitalizations and, in rare instances, fatalities.

RSV, another prevalent virus, is spreading across Europe, particularly affecting young children and older adults. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warned of a potential rise in RSV activity, urging countries to prepare.

COVID-19 cases in Europe, on the other hand, have decreased following a peak in July. However, experts caution that COVID-19 can overlap with seasonal flu and RSV outbreaks, given its year-round presence.

Other viruses, including norovirus (linked to vomiting and diarrhea), parainfluenza, metapneumovirus, and adenoviruses, also circulate during the winter but typically draw less attention due to their comparatively milder impact.

Why Are Winter Viruses More Prevalent?

Flahault attributes the seasonal spike to factors such as closer indoor interactions, reduced ventilation, and lower levels of UV light during winter. Central heating and increased air pollution may also contribute to virus transmission.

To reduce the spread, better indoor air quality and mask-wearing in poorly ventilated areas are recommended. “FFP2 masks can help curb the circulation of respiratory microbial agents,” Flahault said.

Preventive Measures and Vaccination

Vaccination remains a critical tool in mitigating severe cases. Piotr Kramarz, chief scientist at the ECDC, emphasized the importance of improving vaccination rates for flu and COVID-19, especially among vulnerable populations.

Other recommended measures include staying home when symptomatic, frequent handwashing, and ventilating indoor spaces. The WHO advises wearing masks in crowded or poorly ventilated settings, particularly for those at higher risk of severe illness.

Experts underscore the importance of these preventive steps, noting that they are simple yet effective ways to protect public health during the winter season.

Health

Babies in Europe Develop “Werewolf Syndrome” Linked to Parental Use of Hair-Loss Medication

Published

4 days ago

December 7, 2024

RTX

Health authorities in Europe have identified 11 cases of “werewolf syndrome” in babies, a rare condition characterized by abnormal hair growth, traced to their parents’ use of minoxidil, a popular hair-loss treatment.

The findings were detailed in a report by the Pharmacovigilance Centre of Navarre (CFN) in Spain, which linked the cases to exposure to the medication. Hypertrichosis, or “werewolf syndrome,” involves excessive hair growth on parts of the body other than the scalp. In severe cases, hair can cover the entire face and body, while localized patches may also occur.

Minoxidil, used to promote hair growth in individuals experiencing baldness, is typically applied topically to the scalp or taken orally. The first case surfaced when a baby in Spain developed unusual hair growth on the back, legs, and thighs over two months. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the baby’s father, who had been on leave to care for his child, had been using a 5% topical minoxidil solution during this period.

After the father discontinued the medication and took precautions to avoid contact with his child, the baby’s symptoms completely regressed.

Prompted by this case, the CFN conducted a broader review using data from the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System and the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) EudraVigilance databases. The analysis revealed additional cases across Europe where infants developed hypertrichosis following exposure to caregivers using topical minoxidil.

Researchers suggested two possible routes of exposure: oral transfer, such as ingestion of residue left on hands, or direct skin contact with treated areas. The report highlighted that babies’ thinner, more sensitive skin makes them more vulnerable to absorbing medications, increasing their risk of unintended side effects.

In response to the findings, the European Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) has updated safety information for products containing minoxidil. Revised medication leaflets now warn users of the potential risk of excessive body hair growth in infants exposed to treated areas.

Health officials emphasize the importance of exercising caution when using topical medications around infants. “Parents and caregivers should ensure they wash their hands thoroughly after applying minoxidil and take steps to avoid contact between treated areas and children,” the report advised.

The updated guidelines aim to mitigate risks and raise awareness about potential side effects, as health authorities continue to monitor the situation across Europe.

Health

UK Scientists Develop Urine Test for Early Lung Cancer Detection

Published

5 days ago

December 6, 2024

RTX

Addressing Late-Stage Diagnoses

Lung cancer often goes undetected until its later stages, by which time symptoms have appeared or the disease has metastasized, making effective treatment more challenging. The new test aims to address this delay by providing a non-invasive, cost-effective method to identify the disease early.

“Early detection of cancer requires cost-effective tools and strategies that enable detection to happen quickly and accurately,” said Ljiljana Fruk, co-lead of the project and professor at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology.

How the Test Works

The test uses an injectable sensor that reacts to proteins released by zombie cells. When these proteins interact with the sensor, a compound is released into the urine, which can then be easily detected.

“We designed a test based on peptide-cleaving proteins, which are found at higher levels in the presence of zombie cells and in turn appear in the early stages of cancer,” Fruk explained.

So far, the tool has been successfully trialed in mice. The research team is now preparing for human trials to evaluate its efficacy and safety.

Broader Potential Beyond Lung Cancer

The test’s developers envision its use extending beyond lung cancer to detect other cancers, possibly months or even years before symptoms emerge.

“If it works in human studies, the test will spot [lung] cancer earlier and avoid the need for invasive procedures,” Fruk said. “But this test does have potential for other cancers.”

Hope for Early Intervention

By enabling earlier diagnoses, the test could significantly improve survival rates and reduce the need for invasive diagnostic procedures. The research underscores the growing focus on non-invasive, patient-friendly diagnostic tools in the fight against cancer.

If human trials confirm its effectiveness, the urine test could become a vital tool in global cancer prevention and treatment strategies, marking a significant step forward in the early detection of one of the most lethal diseases.