Short time effect of Covid 19 pandemic on HbA1c and acute metabolic complications in children with type 1 diabetes

Background

COVID19 pandemic is currently affecting every aspect of daily life of communitiesy throughout the world. We aimed to check how this situation affects the metabolic control of children with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

We analyzed all patients with type 1 diabetes a HbA1c test after at least two months ensuing the start of the epidemic in Turkey. We compared the results with the most recent HbA1c test in the hospital’s automation system before the epidemic. In addition, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and severe hypoglycemia rates were compared.

Results

Among the eligible 219 cases 77.6% had decreased HbA1c levels according to their former result. Mean drop was about 9.71% compared to the former test in the whole group. Age, sex and time interval between two tests were not found to affect this tendency. Diabetic ketoacidosis rate was the same as before the pandemic, whereas severe hypoglycemia rates increased.

Conclusions

Despite the potential of the pandemic to affect routine care of chronic diseases in a negative way the short term metabolic control of type 1 children with type 1 diabetes improved. Telemedicine support by the diabetes team and increased care in the family environment might be possible explanations.

Grafik Abstract

What is already known on this topic?

Care of chronic diseases is a concern in the recent COVID-19 pandemic era.

What this study adds?

A marked improvement in HbA1 C levels of children with Type 1 diabetes in short term during COVID-19 pandemic was noted suggesting factors including closer follow-up by diabetes care team using telemedicine and more family support might be responsible.