Coronavirus has been seen to have many serious side effects on our entire body. Studies show that long-term problems related to the heart lungs, and respiratory system are being seen in people who are suffering from severe infection. A study related to Long Covid said that after more than a year has passed, the problem of smell and taste is still not cured in many people. At the same time, in a recent study, a team of researchers has expressed concern about the biggest and most worrying side effect of Covid-19.
Researchers found that since the corona pandemic, there has been an unusual increase in the number of children and adolescents with type-1 diabetes worldwide. The problem of diabetes at an early age can affect the quality of the whole life. That is, if a 10-year-old child is diagnosed with this diabetes, then he may need to take insulin for life. This means that the effect of this side effect can remain for the next 70-80 years (lifetime).
Increased cases of type-1 diabetes in children
In the result of this research published in Jama Network Open Journal, the team of doctors has expressed concern about the increasing cases of diabetes in children. For this study, data from more than 38,000 young people have been collected from different countries including the UK. Which it has been found that since the beginning of the epidemic, there has been a rapid jump in the diagnosis of type-1 diabetes.
The authors of the study say that these figures are quite worrying, it also threatens the future.
Why have the cases of type-1 diabetes increased?
Experts said, at the moment it is not clear what has caused the increase in cases, but some things should be taken care of. One theory is that Covid may trigger a reaction in some children that increases the risk of diabetes. But there hasn't been enough evidence in the studies done to understand this type of autoimmune response.
Another hypothesis is that under normal conditions exposed to germs and pathogens, children's bodies themselves develop immunity to combat them. Scientists believe that due to the lockdown and social distancing during Covid, many children did not come in contact with germs, due to which immunity has not developed in them.
Cases increased by 27 percent
Before the pandemic, the rate of diagnosis of childhood type 1 diabetes was about 3% per year. A recent study found this rate increased by 14% during the first year of the pandemic compared to pre-Covid. This increase was more than 27% in the second year of Covid.
Whatever the cause, the growing number of children and adolescents diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is worrying, say researchers at the University of Toronto. The young population suffering from this serious chronic disease is not only increasing the risk of many other diseases in them, but it can also affect the quality of life.
What do experts say?
Hilary Nathan, director of policy at the type-1 diabetes charity JDRFUK, says the research is a wake-up call to the growing risk of diabetes in children around the world. Pay attention to the symptoms of diabetes in children. If you are also noticing fatigue, increased thirst, frequent need to urinate, and weight loss in your child, see a doctor immediately for diagnosis.
Dr. Faye Riley, from Diabetes UK, says: "In studies, we are investigating long-term problems, the increase in the incidence of type 1 over time, and research is ongoing to understand how to protect children from the risk."
(PC: Freepik)
