UK fifth highest in world for child type 1 diabetes 2 January 2013 Last updated at 02:23 The UK ranks the fifth highest in the world for the rate of children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, figures reveal. Each year in the UK more than 24 in every 100,000 children aged 14 and younger are told that they have this form of diabetes, which must be treated with insulin. Experts say it is unclear why the figure is so high. Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 is not linked to obesity or lifestyle. Genes do appear to play a role. The league table, based on estimates from the International Diabetes Federation, includes most countries - apart from a few African nations, where often the rate of type 1 incidence is unknown. Of all the countries with data, only Finland, Sweden, Saudi Arabia and Norway have higher rates than the UK. The UK rate is double that in France (12.2 per 100,000) and Italy (12.1 per 100,000). UK charities Diabetes UK and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation say it is vital that people are aware of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes because if left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to serious illness and even death. A quarter of the 2,000 children a year who develop diabetes are only diagnosed once they are already seriously ill. Increasingly common Barbara Young, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, said: "We do not fully understand why more children in the UK are developing type 1 diabetes than almost anywhere else in the world. But the fact that the rate is so high here in the UK means it is especially important that parents know the symptoms. At the moment, poor understanding of Type 1 diabetes symptoms is one of the main reasons that far too many children are already seriously ill by the time they are diagnosed and this is why we need to raise awareness that Toilet; Thirsty; Tired; and Thinner are all symptoms. Parents and carers also need to understand that if a child has any of these symptoms then they need to see a doctor urgently and be tested for Type 1 diabetes. In the UK 400,000 people live with type 1 diabetes in the UK , 29,000 of these are children Sarah Johnson of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation said the incidence of type 1 diabetes among children was increasing by 4% year on year, with the greatest rise in under-fives "This problem is only going to get bigger," she warned. She called for more investment in medical research to understand the causes of the disease.