Abstract Body

Since early 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into a global health and economic crisis. Morbidity and mortality is greatest in the elderly but more recent evidence suggests children become infected at similar or even higher rates. The younger population have no or mild symptoms and as such few children with COVID-19 have sought medical attention. The impact of the pandemic on children with chronic conditions such as diabetes however is large. Several major problems have been identified:

Changes in access to care, either due to overstretched clinics or due to anxiety to access clinics has led to an increase in diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) and a delay in diagnosis with a more severe onset.

Although rare, a small number of children with type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 infection required intensive care treatment

Delivery of essential drugs and essential material for diabetes management has been delayed or been impossible, putting lives of persons with diabetes at risk.

The virus itself may cause or facilitate the development of type 1 diabetes

Lockdown measures to contain the spread of the virus have a huge psychological impact on all age groups, but certainly on the adolescents and young adults.

Despite many challenges, the pandemic has also lead to positive developments including increased use of telemedecine and of diabetes technology. It is vital to continue to monitor the impact of the pandemic on persons with diabetes and diabetes care through registries and survey, without exclusion of any age group.