Risk of Type 1 Diabetes in Children is Not Increased after SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Nationwide Prospective Study in Denmark

Abstract

<p> </p> <p><em>Objective</em></p> <p>It has been hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 infection in children can increase risk of developing type 1 diabetes. </p> <p><em>Research Design and Methods</em> </p> <p>We undertook a prospective register-based analysis of children in Denmark where we investigated the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent risk of type 1 diabetes. During the pandemic, Denmark had one of the highest test-rates per capita in the world and 90% of all Danish children were tested. </p> <p><em>Results</em></p> <p>We did not observe a higher risk of a first time diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in children 30 days or more after a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, compared to children with a history of only negative SARS-CoV-2 tests (Hazard ratio 0.85, 95% CI 0.70, 1.04). </p> <p><em>Conclusions</em></p> <p>Our data do not support that SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with type 1 diabetes, or that type 1 diabetes should be a special focus after a SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. </p> <p> </p>