Children with diabetes are monitored very differently in Norway.

This is shown in the new Children's Health Atlas, which has been developed and published by the Centre for Clinical Documentation and Evaluation (SKDE). The Health Atlas analyses the use of healthcare services for children (0—18 years) during the period 2017—2024.  

During this period, there has been a 17 per cent increase in the number of children receiving outpatient consultations in specialist healthcare services due to diabetes. The rise in the number of children with diabetes is also the main reason for the 20 per cent increase in the use of outpatient consultations. 

Telemark at the top, Akershus at the bottom 

Children with diabetes should be followed up in specialist healthcare services. However, the Children's Health Atlas shows that they receive unequal services. Children with diabetes in the Telemark catchment area received nearly twice as many consultations per year (8) as children in the Akershus catchment area (4.4) (see figure below).  

These geographical differences may reflect varying follow-up of children with diabetes in the catchment areas. It likely also relates to how the healthcare service is organised, what resources are available, and how national guidelines are interpreted and practised locally.

Follow-up occurs at public hospitals

The Health Atlas shows that nearly all follow-up of children with diabetes occurs at public hospitals, with only two per cent of consultations taking place with private contracted specialists. This also emphasises the central role that the public healthcare system plays in the follow-up of these children. 

See also:  

Children's Diabetes Register: The proportion of children with poorly controlled diabetes has decreased 

Children do not receive equitable healthcare services in specialist healthcare

An increasing number of children are receiving help for functional disorders