Changes in cardiovascular risk factors among children and young adults with type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous years-Results from the German DPV registry.

BACKGROUND: The diverse stages of the COVID-19 pandemic led to several social circumstances that influenced daily life and health behavior. PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in cardiovascular risk factors and physical activity among children and young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany compared to previous years. METHODS: A total of 32 785 individuals aged 6-21 years at baseline with T1D from the German diabetes patient follow-up (DPV) registry contributed data on 101 484 person-years between 2016 and 2021. The first treatment year of each individual within this period was considered as baseline. Based on trends from 2016 to 2019, we estimated differences in body mass index-SD score (BMI-SDS), blood pressure (BP-SDS), and lipid levels (non-high-density lipoprotein [non-HDL]) between observed and predicted estimates for the years 2020 and 2021 using linear regression analysis standardized for age, diabetes duration, sex, and migratory background. The proportion doing organized sports and smoking cigarettes was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: BMI-SDS increased constantly from 2016 to 2021 without a significant increase above expected values for 2020/2021. Systolic BP-SDS (difference observed vs. expected with 95% confidence interval, 2020: 0.10 [0.07-0.14], 2021: 0.17 [0.14-0.20]) and non-HDL (2020: 2.7 [1.3-4.1] mg/dl, 2021: 4.1 [2.7-5.5] mg/dl) were significantly increased (all p < .001) in both pandemic years. The proportion of subjects participating in organized sports was reduced from over 70% in prepandemic years to 35%-65% in diverse stages/waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. The percentage smoking cigarettes did not change. CONCLUSIONS: We describe an increase in BP and atherogenic lipid levels coinciding with a reduction in physical activity but no acceleration of the prepandemic increases in BMI-SDS among young people with T1D during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Incidence of Type 1 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany: Results From the DPV Registry.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Germany compared with previous years. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Based on data from the multicenter German Diabetes Prospective Follow-up Registry, we analyzed the incidence of type 1 diabetes per 100,000 patient-years in children and adolescents from 1 January 2020 through 30 June 2021. Using Poisson regression models, expected incidences for 2020/21 were estimated based on the data from 2011 to 2019 and compared with observed incidences in 2020/21 by estimating incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% CIs. RESULTS: From 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2021, 5,162 children and adolescents with new-onset type 1 diabetes in Germany were registered. The observed incidence in 2020/21 was significantly higher than the expected incidence (24.4 [95% CI 23.6-25.2] vs. 21.2 [20.5-21.9]; IRR 1.15 [1.10-1.20]; P < 0.001). IRRs were significantly elevated in June 2020 (IRR 1.43 [1.07-1.90]; P = 0.003), July 2020 (IRR 1.48 [1.12-1.96]; P < 0.001), March 2021 (IRR 1.29 [1.01-1.65]; P = 0.028), and June 2021 (IRR 1.39 [1.04-1.85]; P = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: A significant increase in the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a delay in the peak incidence of type 1 diabetes by ∼3 months after the peak COVID-19 incidence and also after pandemic containment measures. The underlying causes are yet unknown. However, indirect rather than direct effects of the pandemic are more likely to be the cause.

Review of Leipzig protocol for intravenous insulin infusion in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes during intercurrent illness and surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Continuous intravenous (IV) insulin infusion therapy minimizes blood glucose (BG) fluctuations and prevents metabolic deterioration in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) during intercurrent illness and surgery. However, data on the adequate fluid and insulin substitution in this situation is rare. We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of IV insulin therapy according to our local protocol. METHODS: Retrospective study of 124 cases of hospitalization with IV insulin therapy because of intercurrent illness (n = 78) or minor surgery (n = 46) in 62 patients with T1D (mean age: 9.6 ± 5.4 years). The patients received a glucose-electrolyte infusion and short-acting insulin (normal insulin). Infusion rate was adapted according to the BG measured hourly. Glycemic control was analyzed in subgroups subdivided by age, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and reason for hospitalization. RESULTS: Mean infusion time was 22 hours (range 1.5-147 hours). In 65% of the infusion time, patients' BG was within the target range (4-8 mmol/L). Critical events (BG <3 or > 15 mmol/L) were found in 6% of the infusion time. Comparison of glycemic control in subgroups for HbA1c and the reason for hospitalization revealed no significant differences. However, patients aged <12 years exhibited significant more critical events, primarily hypoglycemia compared to adolescents (hypoglycemia/case 2.4 ± 2.7 vs 0.9 ± 2.0; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our protocol for IV insulin therapy proved to be appropriate for adequate glycemic control in pediatric patients with T1D during intercurrent illness and surgery. However, the regime seems to be more suitable in adolescents. We adapted our protocol in younger patients with reduction of the insulin dose.

Acute cerebral infarction and extra pontine myelinolysis in children with new onset type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Neurological complications of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) are still associated with significant mortality and morbidity. We report on two children who suffered from acute cerebral infarction (CI) and extra pontine myelinolysis (EPM) at onset of type 1 diabetes. Initially, clinical management had not been performed according to generally accepted guidelines. Putative risk factors that may have predisposed for the development of acute cerebrovascular complications are discussed. Not only cerebral edema (CE) but also other severe neurological complications such as CI should be suspected when neurological deterioration occurs during DKA. We conclude that not only an exceeded rehydration therapy but also a rapidly reduced serum osmolality due to an unbalanced rapid blood sugar decrease and serum sodium increase may have lead to the neurological disease. We propose that a reserved and well-defined rehydration strategy in the first 6 (-12) h of therapy is crucial for recovery and can reduce neurological complications of patients with DKA.

Incidence of childhood diabetes in children aged less than 15 years and its clinical and metabolic characteristics at the time of diagnosis: data from the Childhood Diabetes Registry of Saxony, Germany.

AIMS: The Childhood Diabetes Registry in Saxony, Germany, examined the incidence and metabolic characteristics of childhood diabetes. METHODS: In the federal state of Saxony, newly diagnosed cases of diabetes in children and adolescents aged less than 15 years were registered continuously from 1999 until 2008. Family history, date of diagnosis, clinical and laboratory parameters were obtained. Reported cases were ascertained by public health departments as an independent data source and verified using the capture- recapture method. RESULTS: A total of 865 children and adolescents with newly diagnosed diabetes were registered in Saxony. About 96% of them were classified as having type 1 diabetes, 0.6% had type 2 diabetes, 2.4% had maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), and 1.4% had other types of diabetes. The age-standardized incidence rate of type 1 diabetes was estimated at 17.5 per 100,000 children per year. Completeness of ascertainment as calculated by the capture-recapture method amounted to 93.6%. At the time of diagnosis, 27.1% of children with type 1 diabetes had ketoacidosis, 1.5% had a blood pH <7.0, and 1.1% were unconscious. CONCLUSION: The registry provided data about the incidence rates and clinical presentation of childhood diabetes in a defined German population. We observed higher incidence rates compared to previous surveys.