With juvenile diabetes cases growing in the country, the Union Health Ministry has decided to screen school goers between the ages of 5 to 15 years.

While making declaration about the proposal, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad stated that it would be enforced in six districts on a pilot basis.

As per government sources, the health ministry would shortly pick out a district each from the states including Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, North-East and Andhra Pradesh.

As per officials, the declaration is noteworthy as there has been no countrywide research to evaluate occurrence of diabetes in school goers in India.

"Studies indicate that the prevalence would be in the range of about four to 22 diabetic per lakh children in the age-group up to 15 years," a ministry functionary stated.

Presently, the newly commenced National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) concentrates on general public aged above 30, and expecting females.

"Though the number of juvenile diabetics would be comparatively small as compared to adults, it would be important to expand the scope of National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke to include all age-groups due to early lifestyle changes in children and youth," the official added.

The study for juveniles comprise data like personal details of the kid, physical check up including height, weight, body mass index, bp level, distance between home and alcohol, means of travel, physical movement in home as well as educational institution, behavioural data such as information on tobacco and alcohol usage etc.

Ministry functionaries stated that the six-month research is likely to commence by the coming month.