New Study Suggests Links COVID-19 To Increased Diabetes Risk In Children

People with diabetes who get sick with COVID-19 are more at risk for severe complications or death from the virus. But a recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that the converse may also be true: that COVID-19 may make certain people – children and teens, in fact – more likely to develop type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Specifically, the CDC’s report issued on January 7, 2022 found that individuals under age 18 with COVID-19 were much more likely to receive a new diabetes diagnosis more than 30 days after infection than those without COVID-19. The report joins other studies that also suggest adults may be at an increased risk of developing diabetes after fully recovering from COVID-19.

The CDC researchers analyzed two large U.S. health insurance claims databases, comparing data among kids who had COVID-19 to children who did not catch the virus between March 1, 2020, and early-to-mid-2021.

Both data sets revealed a significant increase in diabetes diagnoses among youths who had contracted COVID-19, but to different degrees: One set showed diabetes risk was 166 percent higher among those who had the virus, while the other showed the risk was 31 percent higher.

How the virus that causes COVID-19 “might lead to incident diabetes is likely complex and could differ by Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes,” the researchers wrote. They emphasized the importance of monitoring and screening children for diabetes in the months after a COVID-19 diagnosis. Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, increased hunger, frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss, nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting.

The takeaway, the researchers said, was “the importance of COVID-19 prevention strategies, including vaccination, for all eligible persons in this age group, in addition to chronic disease prevention and management.”

Currently, children age four and under cannot receive any COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. More data on the Pfizer shot’s efficacy for that age group is expected by April.

Children between the ages of 5 to 17 can receive the Pfizer vaccine; ages 18 and up can receive either Pfizer or Moderna. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is still available as a first shot for adults, but the CDC recommends getting one of the other two brands as a booster. Everyone ages 16 and up is currently eligible for a booster.

Those With Diabetes Must Stay Vigilant Against COVID

Individuals with diabetes, whether kids, teens, or adults, must remain highly vigilant against acquiring COVID-19, given its disproportionately severe impact on them.

Effectively managing your diabetes is one of the most important things you can do to lower your risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19. Accurate and frequent monitoring of glucose levels is an indispensable part of those efforts. Fortunately, advancements in glucose monitoring technology have made controlling your glucose levels more effortless than ever.

Traditional glucose monitoring involves pricking a finger multiple times a day to test blood samples, an inconvenient and uncomfortable burden. Now, Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) allows those with diabetes to avoid finger-pricking through the use of a tested, approved, and easy-to-use transceiver device.

Contact us today to see if you qualify for CGM and access our guide to continuous glucose monitoring.

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If you are not insured, or have a high deductible health insurance plan, you can still purchase the Freestyle Libre Reader and Sensors at extremely competitive prices. Prices starting as low as $99 per month

*Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings when you suspect readings may be in accurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

Reference 1: Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care. 2, FreeStyle Libre 14 day User’s Manual

Indications and Important Safety Information

FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 14 day Flash Glucose Monitoring systems are continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices indicated for replacing blood glucose testing and detecting trends and tracking patterns aiding in the detection of episodes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, facilitating both acute and long-term therapy adjustments in persons (age 18 and older) with diabetes. The systems are intended for single patient use and require a prescription.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Remove the sensor before MRI, CT scan, X-ray, or diathermy treatment.

WARNINGS/LIMITATIONS: Do not ignore symptoms that may be due to low or high blood glucose, hypoglycemic unawareness, or dehydration. Check sensor glucose readings with a blood glucose meter when Check Blood Glucose symbol appears, when symptoms do not match system readings, or when readings are suspected to be inaccurate. The system does not have alarms unless the sensor is scanned, and the system contains small parts that may be dangerous if swallowed. The system is not approved for pregnant women, persons on dialysis, or critically-ill population. Sensor placement is not approved for sites other than the back of the arm and standard precautions for transmission of blood borne pathogens should be taken. The built-in blood glucose meter is not for use on dehydrated, hypotensive, in shock, hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state, with or without ketosis, neonates, critically-ill patients, or for diagnosis or screening of diabetes. When using FreeStyle LibreLink app, access to a blood glucose monitoring system is required as the app does not provide one. Review all product information before use or contact Abbott Toll Free (855-632-8658) or visit www.freestylelibre.us for detailed indications for use and safety information.html. . FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are trademarks of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. in various jurisdictions. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018 Abbott. ADC-09691 vLO 10/18

*The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre 14 day reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings, when you suspect readings may be inaccurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 app and the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol and when your glucose alarms and readings from the system do not match symptoms or expectations

‡‡‡Based on the sensor being replaced once every 14 days, and scanned at least once every 8 hours.

§§§Glucose readings are not available during 1-hour warm-up, when sensor is too hot or too cold, when you see an error or "LO" or "HI" message, or no current glucose reading