In an early release finding of a new study published January 7, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that the SARS-CoV-2 infection is “associated with worsening of diabetes symptoms,” and that the virus “might also induce newly diagnosed diabetes.”
Children and teens under age 18 infected with COVID-19 were more likely to receive a diabetes diagnosis more than 30 days after the infection, than were those without the virus, and those with pre-pandemic acute respiratory infections.
Adults infected with COVID-19 were found to be at higher risk for diabetes as well.
“The observed increased risk for diabetes among persons aged <18 years who had COVID-19 highlights 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. . . Monitoring for long-term consequences, including signs of new diabetes, following SARS-CoV-2 infection is important in this age group,” the researchers wrote.
Respiratory infection without COVID-19 was not associated with an increased risk for diabetes, researchers said.
On the flip side, people with diabetes were found to be at increased risk of severe COVID-19, according to the findings.
The study was conducted from March 1, 2020 to June 28, 2021.