Increase in Incidence of type 1 diabetes in children during the Covid-19 pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, more children and adolescents newly developed type 1 diabetes than in previous years. This is shown by a recent study of the DZD, the University of Giessen and the University of Ulm with co-authors from other centers in Germany, based on the data of the multicenter German Diabetes Prospective Follow-up Registry (DPV*).
The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany in comparison to previous years. For this purpose, the researchers recorded the children and adolescents aged between six months and under 18 years newly diagnosed in Germany for the period from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. During this period, 5,162 children and adolescents with new-onset T1D were registered in the DPV. This corresponds to an incidence of 24.4 per 100,000 patient-years. Using Poisson regression models, the researchers determined the expected incidence for 2020/21 from data from 2011 to 2019 to be only 21.2, meaning that the observed incidence during the Corona pandemic was significantly higher than the expected incidence (24.4 [95% CI 23.6-25.2] vs. 21.2 [20.5-21.9]; incidence rate ratios (IRR) 1.15 [1.10-1.20]; P < 0.001).
New cases increased particularly in June 2020 (IRR 1.43 [1.07-1.90]; P 5 0.003), July 2020 (IRR 1.48 [1.12-1.96]; P < 0.001), March 2021 (IRR 1.29 [1.01-1.65]; P 5 0.028), and June 2021 (IRR 1.39 [1.04-1.85]; P 5 0.010). "Type 1 diabetes incidences increased with a delay of about three months after the COVID-19 incidence waves as well as after the pandemic containment measures," reported last author and DZD scientist Prof. Reinhard W. Holl of the University of Ulm. However, the underlying causes for the rise in T1D incidence are still unknown, the researchers emphasize. They consider the increase to be an indirect consequence of the pandemic rather than directly triggered by COVID infection.
10.2337/dc21-0969
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.