The number of cases of diabetes recorded in children and adolescents has risen considerably since the Covid-19 pandemic in several western countries including Belgium, De Standaard reports.
De Standaard referenced an analysis of 17 studies on the issue. This shows that the number of new cases of type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, rose by 14% in 2020 compared to the previous year in several western countries. In 2021, this rise was 27% compared with 2019.
The study, published in the specialist journal Jama Network Open, brings together figures from the United States, Australia and Europe. Belgium was not included, but it seems that this trend is being reflected in the country regardless, according to recent figures from Inami.
Prevalence of diabetes in the EU. Credit: Belga
Sciensano noted during the health crisis a "significant increase" in the number of cases of type 1 diabetes. But this increase, of around 12% a year, had already been seen before, reports Suchsia Chao of Sciensano.
The origins of this trend are unclear, however. Contamination with Covid-19 or indirect causes such as sanitary measures, such as lockdowns, could have created favourable conditions for the emergence of the disease.
However, these analyses remain open to discussion. Professor Chantal Mathieu (UZ Leuven), for example, states that "there have also been publications that have not shown an increase, and these receive less attention from the press."
