New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes in Children During COVID-19: Multicenter Regional Findings in the U.K.

Data on new-onset type 1 diabetes during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly in children, are limited. A recent U.S. multicenter study reported outcomes in 64 adults and children with type 1 diabetes, and confirmed or suspected COVID-19. However, only six patients presented with new-onset type 1 diabetes (1).\n\nWe report multicenter regional data from North West London (NWL) of new-onset type 1 diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children up to the age of 16 years during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected data from five inpatient units (four National Health Service [NHS] Trusts) comprising the NWL Pediatric Diabetes Network between 23 March (coinciding with the commencement of the U.K. Government lockdown) and 4 June 2020.\n\nThirty children aged 23 months to 16.8 years presented with new-onset type 1 diabetes (Table 1). We observed an apparent increase in two units, with 10 cases each (versus typically 2 and 4 cases, respectively, for April/May combined in the previous 5 years). Rates in the other three units were similar to previous years. A high proportion of children (21/30, 70%) presented with DKA, …