1116-P: Increase in the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes in Children <11 Years during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives: To analyze the incidence and characteristics of new-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) in youth < 11years prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to compare the metabolic parameters at presentation in younger (< 11 years) versus older youth (11-21 years). Study methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of newly diagnosed T2D among youth < 21 years at Hasbro Children's Hospital between 1/1/2017 and 12/31/2021. We analyzed the incidence of cases presenting at < 11 years pre (1/1/2017 to 2/29/20) and during (3/1/20-12/31/21) the COVID-19 pandemic. We compared metabolic parameters of those presenting < 11years to ≥ 11 years during the pandemic. Results:Eight youth < 11 years (8/145, (5.5 %)) presented with new-onset T2D during the study period (Table1), and all presented during the pandemic (8/89, 9%). Compared to older youth, those < 11years had higher BMI percentile (166% of the 95th%tile ± 38.4 vs. 139.4% ± 42.6, p=0.03), and were more likely to have diastolic hypertension (62.5% vs. 23.8%, p=0.03). Conclusions: We report an abrupt rise in the incidence of new-onset T2D in children < 11 years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to older youth, younger children were more obese, and were more likely to have diastolic hypertension. Further study is needed to elucidate contributing factors to this concerning finding, and to further aid in pediatric T2D prevention.