The impact of covid-19 pandemic on type 1 diabetes mellitus incidence and its clinical presentation in children and adolescents: one center's experience

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has a drastic impact on health systems worldwide.The aim of this research was to present the incidence and clinical picture of newly diagnosed diabetes in children in our institution during the first year COVID-19 pandemic and to compare obtained data with previous years' data.A total of 41 children were newly diagnosed with T1DM1.There were two non-significant join point periods with an annual percentage increase (2007-2012: APC 8.94%), followed by a decrease (2012-2015: APC -6.88%) and a statistically significant increase (2015-2020: APC 14.20%).During the first COVID year, there was a larger number of newly diagnosed children, but without statistical significance.The percentage of children presenting with DKA in the time of T1DM diagnosis was significantly higher compared to pre COVID-19 period (84.8% vs. 34.6%;p < 0.001).Our results suggest a potential diabetogenic effect of the COVID-19 infection.Larger trials with long term follow ups are needed.Drastic increase in DKA at the onset of T1DM during the first COVID year urge need for better prevention measures.