Omicron Can Raise the Risk of Diabetes, Study Says
TimeAPR 2023
Before the pandemic, the incidence rate of childhood Type 1 diabetes was increasing by about 3% a year, which shows the steep rise in childhood diabetes during the pandemic was a direct result of COVID infection. This study adds to the evidence that the coronavirus adversely affected the pancreas, which makes insulin, spiking the children's sugar levels.
The study is not definitive. More research is needed to understand if the steep rise in childhood diabetes was a direct effect of COVID infection as cases of childhood diabetes continue to rise even after normal life has resumed. It's important to know how much of the risk was based on COVID compared to other factors such as obesity, and the complex interactions between these variables.