153-LB: Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) Onset and COVID-19—Effect of the Second Wave on Diabetes Ketoacidosis and ICU Admission Rates in Newly Diagnosed Children with T1D in Kuwait

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had affected access to healthcare services around the globe. On February 24th, 2020, the first wave of the pandemic was announced. The government of Kuwait had implemented public health measures including curfews, nationwide lockdowns, and limited access to healthcare services. The second wave was declared on March 7, 2021; virtual visits, availability of diabetes clinics, and easier access to healthcare facilities may change the frequency of diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) and the requirement for ICU admission for children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) onset in the second wave. Aims: To evaluate DKA at presentation and ICU admission among children with T1D onset during the first and second waves using data from Childhood Onset Diabetes electronic Registry (CODeR) . Methods: Data were extracted from CODeR. Included patients were aged less than 14 years at the time of T1D diagnosis in the period (February 24th - December 31st, 2021) , and in the same period in 2020. Results: Between February and December 2021, 253 children were identified to have T1D onset, compared with 282 during the same period in 2020. There were no significant differences between HbA1c levels (11.41% vs. 11.56%;p value=0.21) and frequency of DKA in both groups (56.4% vs. 54%, p value=0.51) . Mild/moderate DKA rates didn't differ in both periods (66.1% vs. 60.7%, p value=0.42) , and Severe DKA as well (33.9% vs. 39.3%, p value=0.42) . No significant difference in ICU admission rates was observed in both periods (25.5% vs. 23.9%,p value=0.74) . Conclusion: The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic didn't change DKA frequency or the requirement of ICU admission compared to the first wave. Further studies investigating the frequency of DKA, ICU admission, and other factors are needed over longer periods to evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic affects DKA changes as the pandemic continues. Disclosure F. Othman: None. D. Al-abdulrazzaq: None. H. Alkandari: None. Funding Dasman Diabetes Institute (RA MoH 2021-017)