Pediatric type 1 diabetes mellitus and COVID-19 infection: is there an association?

Abstract

A recent study from the UK, has described an apparent increase in new type 1 diabetes (T1DM) onset in children during COVID-19 pandemic. Both Brazil and USA (including our area of Houston, TX) have recently suffered from a sudden surge of this infection and we have noticed an association between the infection and 2 new cases of pediatric diabetes presenting in diabetes ketoacidosis. This association may become important in the future if the epidemiological data of T1DM shows an increased trend post the COVID-19 infection. It is also important to note that one patient was asymptomatic, this may be important to consider early screening and diagnosis to prevent the spread of infection.