One in every 100 school children suffer from ME
New research estimates that one in every 100 secondary school children suffer from undiagnosed myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) which results in significantly increased educational absenteeism.
The study published in BMJ Open estimates that 33,000 secondary age children may be suffering from ME in Britain.
Sir Peter Spencer KCB - Chief Executive of Action for M.E – said: “This is a wake-up call for GPs, school teachers and school clinics to recognise this illness and refer children promptly to local specialist clinics.”
“Delays of over 18 months before diagnosis are wholly unacceptable and the amount of schooling missed is damaging to a child’s development and long term future.”
According to Action for ME, most children have been suffering from the illness for at least 18 months before they are diagnosed and so are suffering major set backs in their education.
“Parents are understandable getting pretty desperate. Schools and school clinics need to work closer with specialist clinicians to identify and refer children – part of the problem is that GPs may have problems in diagnosing the condition,” said Sir Peter.
“It is most important to understand that there is a wide spectrum of impairment. The children in this study were relatively mildly or moderately affected. There are a large number of children who are much more severely affected who can’t get to school at all.”
“No other illness has such a devastating impact on so many people but has so little money spent on scientific research or the provision of specialist healthcare.”
Action for M.E. is the leading UK charity dedicated to supporting people with ME. Sir Peter Spencer KCB - Chief Executive of Action for M.E – would welcome the opportunity to comment upon the situation.
Tagged in Health Parenting children's health