New-Onset Diabetic Ketoacidosis Precipitated by COVID-19 in Children :a case report

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is considered as a potential trigger virus for the development of diabetes mellitus in children. This can occur even in patients without factors predisposing to impaired glucose metabolism like obesity . Here, we report a rare case of diabetic ketoacidosis revealing new-onset diabetes and precipitated by COVID-19. The relationship between type 1 diabetes mellitus and COVID-19 is discussed. Results: A 13 years old girl developed symptoms suggestive of diabetic ketoacidosis preceded by polyuria, polydipsia, and lethergy. There is a documented COVID-19 infection in her parents . An asymptomatic infection was detected on the basis of a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) . she responded well to treatment, including rehydration regimens and intravenous insulin. On the 4th day of her hospitalization, she was transferred to several injections of subcutaneous insulin with therapeutic and nutritional education from the parents. Conclusion. COVID-19 can induce acute onset diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis in children. More research data are needed to improve our knowledge of this constellation and to guide the most appropriate therapies.