Diabetes sufferers getting younger 

Research shows that the diabetes epidemic is impacting on even younger victims - babies in the womb.

It is estimated 10% of unborn babies are affected through their mothers and doctors are demanding action to reduce the risk

Two day old Shaun Cadman is one of those babies affected. He is suffering the effects of gestational diabetes , which his mother developed during pregnancy.

Shaun's sugar levels shot up causing him to gain too much weight.

"These babies can go up to, even over, six kilos and unfortunately I've certainly seen some above six kilos and some of those did not have the best outcomes," says diabetes researcher Dr David Simmons

Gestational diabetes can lead to stillbirth, broken bones, damaged nerves and hypo-glycaemia. It can also put children at higher risk of developing diabetes as adults.

Simmons says at National Women's Hospital between 2000 and 2003 the number of women with diabetes essentially doubled.

Early detection is the key to dealing with the disease. It can be picked up through maternal blood test screening, but that is currently not done routinely.

---

---