Has COVID-19 Delayed the Diagnosis and Worsened the Presentation of Type 1 Diabetes in Children?

Survey of 53 centres in Italy found that there was a 23% reduction in new diabetes cases in 2020 compared with 2019, and the proportion of diabetic ketoacidosis emergency attendances which were labelled as severe was higher in 2020 (44.3% vs 36.1%, p=0.03).

SPS commentary:

Authors suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has altered diabetes presentation and diabetic ketoacidosis severity. Preparing for any “second wave” requires strategies to educate and reassure parents about timely emergency department attendance for non–COVID-19 symptoms.

Diabetes Care