Incidence, Severity, and Presentation of Type 2 Diabetes in Youth During the First and Second Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE To describe the evolving impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the incidence and presentation of new-onset pediatric type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Retrospective medical record review of youth with new-onset type 2 diabetes comparing the prepandemic period (1 January 2017–29 February 2020) with the first (1 March 2020–31 December 2020) and second pandemic year (1 January 2021–31 December 2021). RESULTS The annualized incidence of type 2 diabetes increased nearly threefold during the pandemic versus prior, with a 61% increase in the 2nd versus 1st year. BMI increased during the pandemic versus prior (129% of 95th percentile vs. 141%, P = 0.02). In the 1st year, patients were younger (12.9 years vs. 14.8, P < 0.001), with higher incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis and/or hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (20% vs. 3.5%, P = 0.02) versus prior. CONCLUSIONS Providers should be aware of the escalating incidence of youth-onset type 2 diabetes to avoid delays in diagnosis and inform educational programs to combat the continued impact of the pandemic on health outcomes.