American study reveals increased risk of diabetes in children and adolescents after coronavirus infection. In hospitalized children, this risk is three times higher than for those admitted for another infection. “This shows once again that we should not take COVID lightly,” says virologist Marc Van Ranst.
Recent research, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, demonstrates that children aged 10 to 19 are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes after Covid infection. “This is remarkable, because type 2 is rare in children. The link had already been proven in adults, but not on such a scale, and even less in children,” explains Marc Van Ranst.
The study analyzed data from more than 300,000 children in the United States who contracted Covid between 2020 and 2022 and compared it to data from another 300,000 children infected with another respiratory infection, such as the flu.
The results show that children are 55% more likely to develop diabetes within six months of a Covid infection than those infected with another respiratory illness. The risk was twice as high in overweight children and even three times higher in those hospitalized. “This shows once again that we must not take Covid lightly,” said the virologist.
It is not yet clear why precisely Covid increases the risk of diabetes. “More research is needed. Other studies also show a negative effect of repeated Covid infections on memory. This also needs to be the subject of additional research,” concludes Marc Van Ranst.
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