WASHINGTON – Children with type 1 diabetes have a 10-fold higher risk of COVID-19-related complications compared to those with well-controlled diabetes, according to a study presented by at ENDO 2021, the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society.
“This study shows that controlling the blood sugar of controlled diabetic children is more important than ever during the pandemic,” said lead author Manish Raisingani, MD, University of Arkansas for Medical and Medical Sciences. Arkansas Children in Little Rock, Ark. “The decisions will help children with type 1 diabetes and their families to make better choices about the safety of attending school in person and being engage in other personal activities during this pandemic. ”
Some data suggest that adults with type 1 diabetes may have a higher risk of COVID-19 complications and death, but little research has been done on children. Raisingani analyzed data on children under 18, using an international database that collects real-time electronic medical record data. The researchers reviewed data on about 2,000 children with type 1 diabetes and COVID-19, as well as more than 300,000 children with COVID-19 who did not have type 1 diabetes.
The study analyzed hemoglobin A1c levels in children with diabetes. A1c is a simple blood test that measures a person’s average blood sugar levels over the last three months. This is the main test to help people manage their diabetes. Higher A1c levels are linked to diabetes complications. The goal for most people with diabetes is an A1c level of 7% or less.?
Raisingani found that, in children with A1c levels above 9%, the risk of COVID-19 complications was 10 times higher compared to children with A1c levels below 7%, indicating the disease -sugar under good control. Children with type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 were more likely to die, needing an endotracheal tube to help them breathe, to have a severe seizure, or to develop septic shock, compared with children who had COVID-19 and did not have type 1 diabetes.
“Many parents of children with type 1 diabetes ask if it is safe to send their child to school during the pandemic,” Raisingani said. “Our results show that if their A1c is high, it would be better for them to attend a high school, but if it is 7% or younger, their risk is similar to other children without type 1 diabetes. ”
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