Researchers claim that since Covid, there has been an unusual increase in the number of children and teenagers worldwide who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
More than 38,000 young people who were diagnosed during the pandemic have had their data from different countries, including the UK, compiled in a new study published in JAMA Network Open.
The authors label the rise in diabetes cases as "substantial.".
They claim that more research is required to determine why the rise is taking place.
Scientists say that while some of the increase could be attributed to catch-up from backlogs and delays caused by the closure of health services, this does not account for all of the newly diagnosed cases.
Type 1 diabetes in children was already on the rise prior to the pandemic, rising by about 3% annually.
Recent research revealed:.
- Compared to before Covid, the rate increased by 14% during the first year of the pandemic.
- The rate increased by about 27 percent from pre-pandemic levels in the second year of Covid.
Regardless of the cause, according to researchers from the University of Toronto, more resources and assistance may be required for the rising number of kids and teenagers with type 1 diabetes.
- Because their bodies are unable to do this naturally, people with the condition must carefully monitor and take insulin to control their blood sugar levels.
- This is due to the immune system of the body mistakenly destroying insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
- Both children and adults can get it, but neither the causes nor a cure are entirely understood.
Although there are some theories, experts say it is unclear what has caused the increase in cases.
One of these theories holds that some children's reactions to Covid may increase their risk of developing diabetes. However, not all of the research looking for this kind of autoimmune reaction, where the body begins to attack some of its own healthy cells, has discovered evidence to support this theory.
Another theory is that some germs can protect against a variety of diseases, including diabetes, if they are exposed to children. According to some scientists, lockdowns and physical segregation during Covid may have prevented many kids from being exposed to enough germs and deprived them of this extra layer of defense.
"This research reflects a life-changing reality for so many families here in the UK," said Hilary Nathan, policy director for the type 1 diabetes charity JDRFUK. ".
She urged people to be alert for the four Ts, which stand for tiredness, thirst, needing to use the restroom more frequently, and weight loss or becoming increasingly thin.
Knowing these symptoms, getting a quick diagnosis, and receiving treatment can all save lives, she said.
Theo, now 9 years old, was given a type 1 diabetes diagnosis a year ago. It took place not long after he caught Covid. His mother, Jo, says she was shocked: "I had no idea what diabetes was.
"Since he wasn't sick with it, I believed the diagnosis to be incorrect. Being able to catch it early is a great blessing.
"You're attempting to comprehend that your child is experiencing this. All these scientific details about the condition are being imparted to you. to preserve their life. You are aware of the serious repercussions if you don't do it. ".
Theo, a resident of Sheffield, is successfully controlling his diabetes thanks to an insulin pump.
According to research conducted worldwide, more cases of diabetes than anticipated have been diagnosed since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Dr. Faye Riley of Diabetes UK. This study adds to the body of proof.
Future studies that focus on longer-term trends will be crucial for separating the pandemic's effects from cyclical variations in the incidence of type 1 diabetes over time and for identifying the myriad of potential causes of any apparent increase.
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