Diabetic ketoacidosis at type 1 diabetes diagnosis in children during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant public health measures that have resulted in decreased acute pediatric care utilization. We evaluated whether the rate of severe presentations of new onset type 1 diabetes (DM1), such as, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has changed since the COVID-19 public health measures were enacted. Research Design and Methods A retrospective chart review of children less than 18 years of age presenting with new onset DM1 during the pandemic period of March 17, 2020 to August 31, 2020 was conducted at two tertiary care pediatric hospitals in Alberta, Canada. Rates of DKA and severe DKA were compared to the same time period in the year 2019 (pre-pandemic control). Results The number of children presenting with newly diagnosed DM1 was similar during the pandemic year of 2020 compared with 2019 (107 children in 2020 vs. 114 in 2019). The frequency of DKA at DM1 onset was significantly higher in the pandemic period (68.2% vs 45.6%; p < 0.001) and incidence of severe DKA was also higher (27.1% in 2020 vs 13.2% in 2019; p = 0.01). Conclusions There was a significant increase in DKA and severe DKA in children presenting with new onset DM1 during the COVID-19 pandemic period. This emphasizes the need for educating health care professionals and families to be aware of the symptoms of hyperglycemia and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment even during public health measures for COVID-19.