SARS-CoV-2 — No Increased Islet Autoimmunity or Type 1 Diabetes in Teens

This multinational, prospective study investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 infection increased the risk of developing islet autoimmunity or type 1 diabetes in children aged 9–15 with genetic susceptibility. Among 4586 participants from the US, Sweden, Finland, and Germany, followed for 24 months, researchers found no association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the onset of islet autoantibodies or type 1 diabetes. Of the 623 children with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, none developed persistent islet autoimmunity. Among those diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the majority had no prior infection. These results contrast previous retrospective reports, and highlight the importance of systematic testing and longitudinal follow-up when evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on autoimmune diseases in pediatric populations.

This multinational, prospective study investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 infection increased the risk of developing islet autoimmunity or type 1 diabetes in children aged 9–15 with genetic susceptibility. Among 4586 participants from the US, Sweden, Finland, and Germany, followed for 24 months, researchers found no association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the onset of islet autoantibodies or type 1 diabetes. Of the 623 children with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, none developed persistent islet autoimmunity. Among those diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the majority had no prior infection. These results contrast previous retrospective reports, and highlight the importance of systematic testing and longitudinal follow-up when evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on autoimmune diseases in pediatric populations.