posted on 2020-08-10, 19:15authored byIvana Rabbone, Riccardo Schiaffini, Valentino Cherubini, Claudio Maffeis, Andrea Scaramuzza, the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes
Objective: To evaluate if the diagnosis of pediatric
type 1 diabetes or its acute complications changed during the early phase of
the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.
Research Design and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, web-based survey of
all Italian pediatric diabetes centers to collect diabetes, diabetes
ketoacidosis (DKA), and COVID-19 data in patients presenting with new-onset or
established type 1 diabetes between February 20 and April 14 in 2019 and 2020.
Results: 53/68 centers (77.9%) responded. There was a
23% reduction in new diabetes cases in 2020 compared to 2019. Among those newly
diagnosed patient who presented in DKA, the proportion with severe DKA was
44.3% in 2020 vs 36.1% in 2019, p = 0.03. There were no differences in acute
complications. Eight patients with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 had laboratory-confirmed
SARS-CoV-2.
Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic might have altered diabetes
presentation and DKA severity. Preparing for any “second wave” requires
strategies to educate and reassure parents about timely ED attendance for
non-COVID-19 symptoms.
Funding
No funds have been received for conducting the present study