A recent study suggests that children who contract Covid-19 may face a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers from Ohio evaluated over 600,000 American children and teens and found that those infected with Covid were up to 60% more likely to develop the chronic condition compared to peers who had other respiratory illnesses. These findings contribute to the ongoing discussion about the long-term health impacts of Covid, particularly for younger populations.
The Study’s Findings
The research, conducted by Case Western Reserve University, focused on data from 613,602 children and teens between January 2020 and December 2022. Half of the participants had been diagnosed with Covid at some point, while the other half had experienced other respiratory conditions like asthma, pneumonia, or bronchitis.
The study revealed that children and teens infected with Covid were 55% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes one month after infection compared to those with other respiratory illnesses. This elevated risk persisted, increasing slightly to 58% after six months. For children who were overweight or obese, the risk was even higher—those in this group were twice as likely to develop diabetes at one and three months post-infection and faced a 227% increased risk after six months.
Exploring the Potential Causes
The researchers theorized that Covid-19 could disrupt metabolism or impair the pancreas’s ability to produce insulin, potentially leading to type 2 diabetes. Insulin is essential for regulating blood sugar levels, and any disruption can cause glucose to build up in the bloodstream, increasing the risk of diabetes.
Another possibility is that Covid may cause the body to develop antibodies that attack the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, further contributing to the onset of diabetes. While this study highlighted a significant correlation between Covid and diabetes risk, the researchers cautioned that it doesn’t prove causation. Some diabetes cases may have been pre-existing and only diagnosed during treatment for Covid.
Hospitalization and Diabetes Risk
The study also found that children and teens hospitalized with Covid faced an even higher risk of developing diabetes. Those admitted within a month of contracting Covid were three times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes compared to peers hospitalized with other respiratory illnesses. This elevated risk, while significant, declined slightly over time but remained much higher than that of children hospitalized for non-Covid-related illnesses.
Impact on Obesity and Metabolism
Researchers pointed to additional factors that may contribute to this increased diabetes risk, particularly for children who are overweight or obese. Covid-19 is believed to disrupt metabolism, which can lead to nutrient imbalances and weight gain—both of which are known to raise the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. The team also highlighted the importance of considering how long these diabetes diagnoses may last and whether they could reverse as children grow older.
While this study provides important insights into the potential long-term health consequences of Covid-19 in children, more research is needed to determine whether the risk of diabetes is temporary or persists into adulthood. With type 2 diabetes already rising among younger populations due to increasing obesity rates and the prevalence of ultra-processed foods, this study adds to the growing concern about the broader impacts of the pandemic on children’s health.