New-onset type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents as postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children and adolescents may increase risk for a variety of post-acute sequelae including new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Therefore, this meta-analysis aims to estimate the risk of developing new-onset type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. PubMed/MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were systematically searched up to March 20, 2023. A systematic review and subsequent meta-analyses were performed to calculate the pooled effect size, expressed as risk ratio (RR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) of each outcome based on a one-stage approach and the random-effects estimate of the pooled effect sizes of each outcome were generated with the use of the DerSimonian-Laird method. Eight reports from seven studies involving 11 220 530 participants (2 140 897 patients with a history of diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infection and 9 079 633 participants in the respective control groups) were included. The included studies reported data from four U.S. medical claims databases covering more than 503 million patients (IQVIA, HealthVerity, TriNetX, and Cerner Real-World Data), and three national health registries for all children and adolescents in Norway, Scotland, and Denmark. It was shown that the risk of new-onset T1DM following SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents was 42% (95% CI 13%-77%, p = 0.002) higher compared with non-COVID-19 control groups. The risk of developing new-onset T1DM following SARS-CoV-2 infection was significantly higher (67%, 95% CI 32 %-112%, p = 0.0001) in children and adolescents between 0 and 11 years, but not in those between 12 and 17 years (RR = 1.10, 95% CI 0.54-2.23, p = 0.79). We also found that the higher risk for developing new-onset T1DM following SARS-CoV-2 infection only exists in studies from the United States (RR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.37-2.11, p = 0.00001) but not Europe (RR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.67-1.55, p = 0.93). Furthermore, we found that SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with an elevation in the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children and adolescents compared with non-COVID-19 control groups (RR = 2.56, 95% CI 1.07-6.11, p = 0.03). Our findings mainly obtained from US medical claims databases, suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with higher risk of developing new-onset T1DM and diabetic ketoacidosis in children and adolescents. These findings highlight the need for targeted measures to raise public health practitioners and physician awareness to provide intervention strategies to reduce the risk of developing T1DM in children and adolescents who have had COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 Positive Serology and Islet Autoantibodies in Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Cases of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Single-Center Cohort Study.

Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, although presenting less severe forms of the disease in children, seems to play a role in the development of other conditions, including type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). After the beginning of the pandemic, an increase in the number of T1DM pediatric patients was observed in several countries, thus leading to many questions about the complex relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and T1DM. Our study aimed to highlight possible correlations between SARS-CoV-2 serology and T1DM onset. Therefore, we performed an observational retrospective cohort study that included 158 children diagnosed with T1DM in the period April 2021-April 2022. The presence or absence of SARS-CoV-2 and T1DM-specific antibodies and other laboratory findings were assessed. In the group of patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 serology, a higher percentage had detectable IA-2A antibodies, more children were positive for all three islet autoantibodies determined (GADA, ICA, and IA-2A), and a higher mean HbA1c value was found. No difference existed between the two groups regarding DKA presence and severity. A lower C-peptide level was found in the patients presenting diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at T1DM onset. When compared to a group of patients diagnosed before the pandemic, an increased incidence of both DKA and severe DKA, as well as a higher age at diagnosis and higher levels of HbA1c were present in our study group. These findings have important implications for the ongoing monitoring and management of children with T1DM after the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight the need for further research to better understand the complex relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and T1DM.

Glycemic Control in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and COVID-19: What We Learned From the Lockdown Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Confinement measures that were imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the routines of the population. Some studies on the impact of confinement on glycemic control suggest a reduction of 0.1 to 0.5% in glycated hemoglobin. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on glycemic control in adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: An observational retrospective cohort study of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus followed in a Diabetes Unit was performed. The study compared the metabolic control of these patients before (between January 1st and March 18th, 2020) and after (between May 3rd and July 31st, 2020) the lockdown. RESULTS: The study included 102 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (51% females), with a median age of 36 years (interquartile range 18.75, (24.25-43)) and a median duration of diabetes of 15 years (interquartile range 13, (8-21)). After lockdown, a significant decrease of 0.28±0.71% in glycated hemoglobin was observed (7.88±1.33% vs 7.59±1.23%, p=<0.001). In patients using continuous glucose monitoring a significant improvement in time in range was also noted (47.25±17.33% vs 49.97±18.61%, p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated an improvement in glycemic control after the lockdown. This might be explained by the positive impact of stable schedules, healthy meals and greater availability to make therapeutic adjustments to glycemic control. The fact that diabetes was considered a risk factor for the development of severe COVID-19 disease might also influence patients to increase their efforts to optimize their glycemic control.

Childhood-onset type 1 diabetes in Western Australia: An update on incidence and temporal trends from 2001 to 2022.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and incidence trends over 2001-2022 of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Western Australia and assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Children newly diagnosed with T1D aged 0-14 years in Western Australia from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2022 were identified from the population-based Western Australian Children's Diabetes Database. Annual age- and sex-specific incidence was calculated, and Poisson regression was used to analyse trends by calendar year, month, sex and age group at diagnosis. Pandemic era impacts were also examined using the regression model adjusted for sex and age group. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2022, 2311 children (1214 boys, 1097 girls) were newly diagnosed with T1D aged 0-14 years, giving an overall mean annual incidence of 22.9 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI: 22.0, 23.9), with no significant difference observed between boys and girls. A significant linear increasing trend was only observed in 10-14 year olds with boys and girls combined (1.2% per year [IRR 1.012 (95% CI: 1.002, 1.022)]). No significant difference in the incidence was observed between the pre- and post-pandemic period. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of type 1 diabetes in 0-14 year old Western Australian children continues to increase in the oldest age group. Longer term monitoring of the incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic is needed to determine its impact on this globally unique population which experienced a delayed start to the pandemic with severe containment measures remaining in place until January 2022.

Variation of Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Cases During Covid-19 Pandemic: A Review Paper

Background Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the chronic diseases that timely and correct management affects the outcome of these patients. COVID-19 is an acute respiratory infection that has created a disproportionate situation for individuals and healthcare systems. The resulting pandemic is associated with delayed presentation of patients as well as increased frequency and severity of acute complications. Objectives This review study aims to investigate the incidence, initial presentation, frequency, and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) as well as changes in demographic findings, such as age and sex in newly diagnosed T1DM children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The search was conducted in different databases, using the keywords: T1DM, COVID-19, pediatrics, and incidence to find the related articles published in English from December 31, 2019, to March 3, 2022. Results There is no clear evidence for increase in the incidence of T1DM and the frequency and severity of DKA in female and younger people during the pandemic compared to the prepandemic period. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to better understand the role of pandemic on disease incidence and acute complications. Conclusions: To reduce the incidence of DKA and speed up the diagnosis of T1DM during the pandemic, people should be informed about their symptoms.

Safe administration of sotrovimab to a COVID-19 patient with acute phase type 1 diabetes mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and poor glycemic control are risk factors for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Sotrovimab can treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in patients at a high risk of progression to severe COVID-19. However, its safety and efficacy in T1DM patients remain to be elucidated. We report the case of a 12-yr-old patient who was treated with sotrovimab for COVID-19 immediately after treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) due to new-onset T1DM. He presented with nausea and sore throat and was diagnosed with severe DKA and COVID-19. A productive cough and sputum developed after admission. On the 3rd day of admission, the DKA resolved, and sotrovimab was administered to prevent exacerbation of COVID-19. Although the blood glucose levels increased after the administration of sotrobimab, there was no recurrence of DKA. Hyperglycemia may be a sotrovimab-related adverse event in T1DM patients. Nevertheless, the benefits of sotrovimab treatment may far outweigh the potential risks. Thus, sotrovimab was considered safe for patients with T1DM immediately after treatment of severe DKA.

Transcriptome Profiling in Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases are a group of different inflammatory disorders characterized by systemic or localized inflammation, affecting approximately 0.1–1% of the general population. Several studies suggest that genetic risk loci are shared between different autoimmune diseases and pathogenic mechanisms may also be shared. The strategy of performing differential gene expression profiles in autoimmune disorders has unveiled new transcripts that may be shared among these disorders. Microarray technology and bioinformatics offer the most comprehensive molecular evaluations and it is widely used to understand the changes in gene expression in specific organs or in peripheral blood cells. The major goal of transcriptome studies is the identification of specific biomarkers for different diseases. It is believed that such knowledge will contribute to the development of new drugs, new strategies for early diagnosis, avoiding tissue autoimmune destruction, or even preventing the development of autoimmune disease. In this review, we primarily focused on the transcription profiles of three typical autoimmune disorders, including type 1 diabetes mellitus (destruction of pancreatic islet beta cells), systemic lupus erythematosus (immune complex systemic disorder affecting several organs and tissues), and multiple sclerosis (inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the nervous system). © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2014, 2022.

Clinical and biochemical predictors of intensive care unit admission among patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) contributes to 94% of diabetes-related hospital admissions, and its incidence is rising. Due to the complexity of its management and the need for rigorous monitoring, many DKA patients are managed in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, studies comparing DKA patients managed in ICU to non-ICU settings show an increase in healthcare costs without significantly affecting patient outcomes. It is, therefore, essential to identify suitable candidates for ICU care in DKA patients. AIM: To evaluate factors that predict the requirement for ICU care in DKA patients. METHODS: This retrospective study included consecutive patients with index DKA episodes who presented to the emergency department of four general hospitals of Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar, between January 2015 and March 2021. All adult patients (> 14 years) fulfilling the American Diabetes Association criteria for DKA diagnosis were included. RESULTS: We included 922 patients with DKA in the final analysis, of which 229 (25%) were managed in the ICU. Compared to non-ICU patients, patients admitted to ICU were older [mean (SD) age of 40.4 ± 13.7 years vs 34.5 ± 14.6 years; P < 0.001], had a higher body mass index [median (IQR) of 24.6 (21.5-28.4) kg/m2 vs 23.7 (20.3-27.9) kg/m2; P < 0.030], had T2DM (61.6%) and were predominantly males (69% vs 31%; P < 0.020). ICU patients had a higher white blood cell count [median (IQR) of 15.1 (10.2-21.2) × 103/uL vs 11.2 (7.9-15.7) × 103/uL, P < 0.001], urea [median (IQR) of 6.5 (4.6-10.3) mmol/L vs 5.6 (4.0-8.0) mmol/L; P < 0.001], creatinine [median (IQR) of 99 (75-144) mmol/L vs 82 (63-144) mmol/L; P < 0.001], C-reactive protein [median (IQR) of 27 (9-83) mg/L vs 14 (5-33) mg/L; P < 0.001] and anion gap [median (IQR) of 24.0 (19.2-29.0) mEq/L vs 22 (17-27) mEq/L; P < 0.001]; while a lower venous pH [mean (SD) of 7.10 ± 0.15 vs 7.20 ± 0.13; P < 0.001] and bicarbonate level [mean (SD) of 9.2 ± 4.1 mmol/L vs 11.6 ± 4.3 mmol/L; P < 0.001] at admission than those not requiring ICU management of DKA (P < 0.001). Patients in the ICU group had a longer LOS [median (IQR) of 4.2 (2.7-7.1) d vs 2.0 (1.0-3.9) d; P < 0.001] and DKA duration [median (IQR) of 24 (13-37) h vs 15 (19-24) h, P < 0.001] than those not requiring ICU admission. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis model, age, Asian ethnicity, concurrent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, DKA severity, DKA trigger, and NSTEMI were the main predicting factors for ICU admission. CONCLUSION: In the largest tertiary center in Qatar, 25% of all DKA patients required ICU admission. Older age, T2DM, newly onset DM, an infectious trigger of DKA, moderate-severe DKA, concurrent NSTEMI, and COVID-19 infection are some factors that predict ICU requirement in a DKA patient.

The Relationship between Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, TNF-α, and IL-10 Gene Expression.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the major chronic diseases in children worldwide. This study aimed to investigate interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene expression and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in T1DM. A total of 107 patients were included, 15 were T1DM in ketoacidosis, 30 patients had T1DM and HbA1c ≥ 8%; 32 patients had T1DM and presented HbA1c < 8%; and 30 were controls. The expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in real time. The cytokines gene expression was higher in patients with T1DM. The IL-10 gene expression increased substantially in patients with ketoacidosis, and there was a positive correlation with HbA1c. A negative correlation was found for IL-10 expression and the age of patients with diabetes, and the time of diagnosis of the disease. There was a positive correlation between TNF-α expression with age. The expression of IL-10 and TNF-α genes showed a significant increase in DM1 patients. Once current T1DM treatment is based on exogenous insulin, there is a need for other therapies, and inflammatory biomarkers could bring new possibilities to the therapeutic approach of the patients.

A Curious Case of New-Onset Diabetes

New-onset type 1 diabetes most frequently presents with diabetic ketoacidosis in young patients. A subset of patients with autoimmune type 1 diabetes may present with a slower progression to insulin deficiency and are frequently misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Clinicians should screen for type 1 diabetes in patients who present with hyperglycemia and do not have obvious signs of insulin resistance or obesity. This case report presents an adult patient with hyperglycemia after a hospital admission for coronavirus disease 2019 and the evidence used to diagnose type 1 diabetes with atypical presentation.

Increased Frequency of Diabetic Ketoacidosis: The Link With COVID-19 Pandemic.

Aims: Diabetic ketoacidosis is the most severe metabolic derangement due to prolonged insulin deficiency as in type 1 diabetes. Diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition, is often diagnosed late. A timely diagnosis is mandatory to prevent its consequences, mainly neurological. The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown have reduced the availability of medical care and access to hospitals. The aim of our retrospective study was to compare the frequency of ketoacidosis at the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes between the lockdown-post lockdown period and the previous two calendar years, in order to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively assessed the clinical and metabolic data at the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in children in the Liguria Region during 3 different time periods: calendar year 2018 (Period A), calendar year 2019 until February 23,2020 (Period B) and from February 24, 2020 onwards to March 31, 2021 (Period C). Results: We analyzed 99 patients with newly-diagnosed T1DM from 01/01/2018 to 31/03/2021. Briefly, a younger age at diagnosis of T1DM was observed in Period 2 compared to Period 1 (p = 0.03). The frequency of DKA at clinical onset of T1DM was similar in Period A (32.3%) and Period B (37.5%), while it significantly increased in Period C (61.1%) compared to Period B (37.5%) (p = 0.03). PH values were similar in Period A (7.29 ± 0.14) and Period B (7.27 ± 0.17), while they were significantly lower in Period C (7.21 ± 0.17) compared to Period B (p = 0.04). Conclusions: An increase in the frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis has been documented in newly diagnosed pediatric patients in the Liguria Region during and after the lockdown period compared to previous calendar years. This increase could have been caused by the delay in diagnosis following the restrictions imposed by the lockdown with consequently reduced access to health care facilities. More information on the risks of ketoacidosis is desirable by means of social and medical awareness campaigns.

Safe administration of sotrovimab to a COVID-19 patient with acute phase type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and poor glycemic control are risk factors for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Sotrovimab can treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in patients at a high risk of progression to severe COVID-19. However, its safety and efficacy in T1DM patients remain to be elucidated. We report the case of a 12-yr-old patient who was treated with sotrovimab for COVID-19 immediately after treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) due to new-onset T1DM. He presented with nausea and sore throat and was diagnosed with severe DKA and COVID-19. A productive cough and sputum developed after admission. On the 3rd day of admission, the DKA resolved, and sotrovimab was administered to prevent exacerbation of COVID-19. Although the blood glucose levels increased after the administration of sotrobimab, there was no recurrence of DKA. Hyperglycemia may be a sotrovimab-related adverse event in T1DM patients. Nevertheless, the benefits of sotrovimab treatment may far outweigh the potential risks. Thus, sotrovimab was considered safe for patients with T1DM immediately after treatment of severe DKA.

A SURGE OF TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS AMONG NIGERIAN CHILDREN DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Background: A substantial increase in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) has been reported globally among children following the discovery of COVID-19. This study reports a similar trend among Nigerian children. Methods: A twelve-year (2010-2021) retrospective review of T1DM cases admitted in the Paediatric wing of a tertiary hospital in South-East Nigeria. Results: During the twelve-year study, 21 T1DM patients were seen: 9 (43%) males and 12 (57%) females. Approximately 60% of these cases presented during the pandemic (2020-2021). The mean age of subjects with T1DM was 10.5 ± 4.1 years, with females being slightly older than the male subjects (11.6 ± 3.7 years vs 9.2 ± 4.3 years respectively; p=0.176). Prior to the pandemic, females were significantly older than males (11.6 ± 3.7 years vs 4.5 ± 2.1 years respectively; p=0.042), but no age difference was observed during the pandemic (11.6 ± 4.1 years vs 10.4 ± 3.9 years respectively; p=0.597). 80% of all males in this study were seen during the pandemic and were older than the males seen before the pandemic (10.4 ± 3.9 years vs 4.5 ± 2.1 years; p=0.078). Following adjustments for age and gender, older children and males had an increased odd of developing T1DM during the pandemic but this was not statistically significant. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for increased awareness and high index of suspicion of T1DM among children during this pandemic. In the interim, more robust multi-centre studies are required to investigate the underlying relationship between COVID-19 and T1DM.

Comparison of internet usage and internet addiction scores in healthy children and children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: The Internet, an integral part of modern life, can lead to internet addiction, which negatively affects academic performance, family relationships, and emotional development. This study aimed to evaluate the Internet addiction scores (IAS) during COVID-19 in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) compared with healthy controls. METHODS: Children with T1DM and healthy controls aged 8-18, were evaluated with the Parent-Child Internet Addiction Test (PCIAT20). Internet addiction scores of the participants were assessed. The relationship between diabetes duration, mean HbA1c level and IAS were also examined in children with T1DM. RESULTS: The study included 139 patients with T1DM and 273 controls. The IAS were significantly lower in patients compared with controls (25.28 ± 15.52 vs. 29.69 ± 19.08, p=0.019). There was a weak negative correlation between the duration of diabetes and IAS in children with diabetes (r=-0.21, p=0.021). There was no significant association between IAS and mean HbA1c (r=0.14, p=0.128) or age (r=0.08, p=0.115). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in IAS between children with well-controlled diabetes (n=17) and those with poorly-controlled diabetes (n=122) (IAS: 27.1 ± 17.2; 24.8 ± 15.5, p=0.672, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Internet addiction scores were lower in patients with T1DM compared with their healthy peers. Unlike previous studies reporting an increase in problematic internet use, the results of the present study did not confirm internet use as a real challenge in front of the diabetes management for the majority of children with T1DM. This result may be attributed to the important role played by families in the management of T1DM.

The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on glycaemic control in young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: In December 2019, a novel coronavirus strain, COVID-19, was identified in Wuhan, China. The first case was reported in the Republic of Ireland that month. Since then, along with many other countries worldwide, Ireland has imposed intermittent strict lockdowns to mitigate the spread of the virus. AIMS: To investigate the impact of lockdown on glycaemic control in young adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Pre- and post-lockdown HbA1c levels were recorded for 118 patients attending the Young Adult Diabetes clinic in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, and the results were compared. Changes in weight, insulin requirements and incidence of DKA/severe hypoglycaemia were also assessed. RESULTS: HbA1c results were 3.81 mmol/mol lower post-lockdown. Weight increased by 1.8 kg. Both of these results were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Lockdown was associated with improved glycaemic control in young adult diabetic patients, and also with an increase in body weight. Changes in lifestyle factors associated with lockdown may explain this finding.

Associated factors to insulin adherence in type 1 diabetes in Tehran and Karaj, Iran.

Purpose: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder, and its prevalence and incidence are increasing globally. Insulin therapy is the basis of T1DM management that can prevent numerous complications. Identifying and resolving the factors involved in patients' non-adherence can reduce complications, mortality, and economic burden. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of patients with T1DM were included from Alborz and Tehran cities of Iran in 2020. Patients filled the questionnaires consisting of sociodemographic and diabetes characteristics, weight and height measurements, 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS), and barriers to insulin therapy. Patients with < six scores of MMAS were considered to have low adherence, while ≥ 6 scores showed moderate/high adherence. Data were analyzed using SPSS, and a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 189 patients with T1DM with a mean (± SD) age of 17.95 (± 10.98) years were enrolled in the study, and 73.5% of patients had moderate/high adherence to insulin therapy. Younger age and owning insurance were significantly associated with being classified in the higher adherence group. The barriers that were significantly associated with non-adherence were forgetting to buy, physician inaccessibility, cost, exhaustion from the long-term injection, forgetfulness, injection site reaction, and rebellion against parents in the < 20 years age group. The main barriers in ≥ 20 years age group were forgetting to buy and insufficient injection instruction. Conclusion: The identified barriers to insulin injection would be helpful for policymakers and clinicians to increase insulin adherence among patients with T1DM. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-022-01105-0.

The Effect of SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak on Diabetic Ketoacidosis Presentation in Children with New Onset Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Introduction: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening acute complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and infection is the most common precipitating factor and is responsible for more than 50% of cases. The frequency and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis in children with T1DM, before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak were evaluated in order to identify its effects on DKA incidence. Methods: COVID-19 pandemic group comprised new onset T1DM patients presenting from March 2020 to March 2021. Control group included new onset T1DM from March 2016 to March 2020. Results: The rate of DKA at presentation was similar during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic years (58,3% in 2020 vs 55.3% in 2019, 45.5% in 2018, 44.8% in 2017, 64.3% in 2016, p =0. 393). Although the percentage of DKA was similar, the rate of severe DKA in the last 2 years was higher than previous years. Although statistically insignificant, the duration of diabetes symptoms was longer in the COVID-19 period than the previous years. Conclusion: This study suggests that the rate of severe DKA, but not the overall rate of DKA, has increased during COVID-19 pandemic and lock-down compared to the prior 4 years. This may be mainly due to the behavior of the parents of sick children and effectiveness of healthcare system. Despite many road-blocks due to overburden of healthcare system during COVID-19 pandemic, parents might have been concerned enough to seek medical attention for their children, avoiding increased frequency of DKA as the first presentation of new-onset T1DM.

The Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown on Pediatric Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases: A Narrative Review.

SARS-CoV-2 was the first pathogen implied in a worldwide health emergency in the last decade. Containment measures have been adopted by various countries to try to stop infection spread. Children and adolescents have been less clinically involved by COVID-19, but the pandemic and consequent containment measures have had an important influence on the developmental ages. The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown periods have influenced the nutrition and lifestyles of children and adolescents, playing an epigenetic role in the development of nutrition and metabolic diseases in this delicate age group. The aim of our review is to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on nutrition and metabolic diseases in the developmental ages. Moreover, we have analyzed the effect of different containment measures in children and adolescents. An increase in being overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus has been detected. Concerning type 1 diabetes mellitus, although a validated mechanism possibly linking COVID-19 with new onset type 1 diabetes mellitus has not been yet demonstrated, barriers to the accessibility to healthcare services led to delayed diagnosis and more severe presentation of this disease. Further studies are needed to better investigate these relationships and to establish strategies to contain the nutritional and metabolic impact of new pandemics in the developmental ages.

Combined course of acute respiratory coronavirus disease in a child with type 1 diabetes: a clinical case

The clinical course of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in children in combination with diabetes mellitus is characterized by a more pronounced intensity of clinical manifestations and more frequent complications compared to patients without this premorbid condition. For unknown reasons, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may trigger new-onset diabetes. Over the last decade, the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus has increased and the peak age for being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus is getting younger. This article presents a clinical case of an adolescent female patient with new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus diagnosed during hospitalization for symptomatic COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction of naso/oropharyngeal swabs). The patient felt ill suddenly, her condition was rapidly worsening. She was hospitalized with severe acute respiratory tract infection. The blood work of the patient revealed hyperglycemia, hyperstenuria, glycosuria, ketonuria, hypertransferasemia, elevated levels of glycated hemoglobin and decreased levels of C-peptide. The patient has been receiving fluid replacement treatment intravenously, short-acting insulin to correct hyperglycemia followed by symptomatic treatment therapy. The patient responded well to the treatment plan and was discharged from the hospital after 8 days continuing treatment from home. Conclusions. The presented article describes a clinical case of COVID-19 in adolescent female patient with new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus. The patient's severe condition was caused mainly by dehydration and COVID-19 precipitated ketoacidosis despite having light respiratory symptoms. At the moment, it is not enough data to conclude whether type 1 diabetes mellitus in pediatric population can cause serious complications from COVID-19. More studies are required to reach a definitive conclusion. © 2022 The authors.

An exploratory analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric type 1 diabetes mellitus patient outcomes: A single-center study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to substantial shifts in pediatric diabetes care delivery to virtual and hybrid models. It is unclear if these changes in care delivery impacted short-term patient outcomes. Objectives: We aimed to explore glycemic control and other diabetes-related outcomes in children living with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary pediatric academic center in Canada. Subjects: Patients <18 years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of T1DM for at least one year were included. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review. We compared data from two years pre-pandemic (March 15, 2018-March 14, 2020) to the first year of the pandemic (March 15, 2020-March 14, 2021). The data assessed included glycemic control [Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)], diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hospital attendance and hospitalizations, hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis was used to model potential factors affecting the HbA1c and diabetes-related morbidities. Multiple imputations were conducted as a sensitivity analysis. Results: There were 346 eligible patients included in the study. The HbA1c remained stable during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic phase (MD-0.14, 95% CI, -0.28, 0.01; p = 0.058). The pandemic saw an increase in the number of newly diagnosed patients (X2 = 16.52, p < 0.001) and a higher number of newly diagnosed patients presenting in DKA (X2 = 12.94, p < 0.001). In patients with established diabetes, there was an increase in hyperglycemia (OR1.38, 95% CI, 1.12,1.71; p = 0.003) and reduced DKA (OR 0.30, 95% CI, 0.12,0.73; p = 0.009) during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic phase. Stable rates of hospitalization (OR0.57, 95% CI, 0.31,1.04, p = 0.068) and hypoglycemia (OR1.11, 95% CI, 0.83,1.49; p = 0.484) were noted. These results were retained in the sensitivity analysis. Conclusions: Glycemic control in children with T1DM remained stable during the first year of the pandemic. There were more newly diagnosed patients during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic phase, and more of these new patients presented in DKA. The latter presentation was reduced in those with established diabetes during the same period.Further studies are needed to assess the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on T1DM care pathways and outcomes to allow children, families, and diabetes teams to personalize choices of care models.