The COVID – 19 pandemic’s long-term effects are still unknown. More studies have been published that describe long-term negative symptoms in populations that were previously unanticipated. There is proof that pediatric type 1 diabetes increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Center for Disease Control ( CDC ). Since the pandemic, there have also been an increase in cases of pediatric type 1 diabetes. Data on young people( andlt, 18 years old ) diagnosed with type 1 diabetes during the pandemic were gathered for a study published in the JAMA Network Open Journal. These information, which was gathered from more than 38 000 people, shows concern for the larger healthcare industry.
A condition known as type 1 diabetes causes the pancreas to produce little to no insulin. For sugar to enter the cell and give it energy to function, insulin is required. As a result, without insulin, sugar cannot enter cells and cells cannot function properly. Because of this, feeling exhausted and weak is one symptom of type 1 diabetes. If you or a loved one exhibits symptoms of type 1 diabetes, you should visit your doctor right away because it can be fatal. Without insulin to control sugar levels, cells in your body are starved and deprived of nutrients. This disease can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic and viral ones. More importantly, type 1 diabetes has no known cure, despite the fact that there is a lot of research on the condition. Children must spend their entire lives receiving insulin injections or an insulin pump to treat the disease.
The pandemic shutdown’s backlogs and delays in the healthcare system may be to blame for the increase in cases. Scientists think this is not the only reason for this increase in diagnosis, even though it may partially explain it. According to the study, the number of cases increased by 14 % in the first year of the pandemic over the previous year. The rate was raised to 27 % in the second year of the pandemic. Researchers advise hospitals, clinics, and private practices to be ready for the influx of diagnosis even though they are unsure of the steady rise in pediatric type 1 diabetes.
The increase in pediatric type 1 diabetes is unknown to scientists. One explanation for it is that COVID-19 causes a reaction that raises the risk of illness. However, there aren’t enough studies to back up this theory. Another theory is that the pandemic kept kids inside, preventing them from coming into contact with the germs necessary to develop a strong immune system to fight type 1 diabetes. Doctors advise parents to be on the lookout for symptoms like fatigue, frequent bathroom use, and / or weight loss even though scientists are unsure of the cause.
Understanding the rising rates of pediatric diabetes depends on this paper. Saving lives, primary care doctors and parents can be more aware and treat kids sooner. To understand how the pandemic has affected the prevalence of pediatric type 1 diabetes, additional long-term studies will also be required.