International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes

The International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) is a leading global professional organization dedicated to improving the lives of children, adolescents, and young adults with diabetes. Established in 1974 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, ISPAD unites healthcare professionals, researchers, and scientists specializing in pediatric and adolescent diabetes to promote clinical and basic science research, education, advocacy, and optimal care standards for young people affected by diabetes.

Mission and Objectives

ISPAD’s mission is to advance scientific knowledge and clinical practice regarding diabetes in childhood and adolescence. The organization focuses on improving understanding of the etiology and epidemiology of diabetes among youth and enhancing treatment methods globally. ISPAD advocates for better care and treatment protocols and promotes education among healthcare providers to ensure better outcomes for children and adolescents living with diabetes.

Activities and Services

• Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines: ISPAD publishes comprehensive Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines, which are globally recognized recommendations for the management of diabetes in children, adolescents, and young adults. These guidelines cover standard and limited-resource healthcare settings and are freely accessible in multiple languages. They are also published in the official ISPAD journal, Pediatric Diabetes.

• Annual Conference: ISPAD organizes an annual international conference that gathers experts worldwide to discuss advancements in research, clinical care, and education related to pediatric and adolescent diabetes.

• Education and Fellowships: The Society provides educational programs such as the ISPAD Science School for physicians and offers fellowships and prizes to support scientific research and professional development in the field.

• Journal Publication: ISPAD publishes Pediatric Diabetes, a peer-reviewed journal that disseminates research findings, reviews, and clinical information specific to diabetes in young populations.

Influence and Standards

ISPAD’s consensus guidelines have played a significant role in shaping glycemic management targets worldwide. For example, in 2022 ISPAD set the recommended HbA1c target for children and adolescents at 7.0% (53 mmol/mol), with flexibility for lower targets in suitable cases where advanced diabetes technologies are available. These guidelines inform clinical practice globally and complement recommendations from other organizations like the American Diabetes Association and NICE in the UK. ISPAD further advocates individualized care approaches to balance optimal glycemic control with quality of life considerations.

Charity Status

The organization is registered as a nonprofit charity under the number 1126927, reinforcing its commitment to serve the pediatric and adolescent diabetes community without commercial interests.

ISPAD continues to be a pivotal organization connecting multidisciplinary professionals worldwide to improve research, education, treatment, and advocacy for children and young adults with diabetes, thereby enhancing their quality of life and long-term health outcomes.

[1] https://www.ispad.org [2] https://touchendocrinology.com/supplier/international-society-for-pediatric-and-adolescent-diabetes-ispad/ [3] https://www.ispad.org/resources/ispad-clinical-practice-consensus-guidelines/2022-ispad-clinical-practice-consensus-guidelines/ispad-cpcg-2022-english.html [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Society_for_Pediatric_and_Adolescent_Diabetes [5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11854972/