COVID-19 and Diabetes

Graham Daugherty • July 22, 2020

Information provided by The Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes. For more information, visit BarbaraDavisCenter.org and click the “Important Information” alert at the top of the page.

With the rising number of coronavirus/COVID-19 cases in Colorado and Wyoming, we understand that patients with diabetes and their families will have special concerns about how this may impact their health. For older adults with diabetes, it has been widely published that diabetes represents a major risk factor for complications of COVID-19. The virus typically has a milder course in children, and the evidence we have so far suggests that most children and young people with diabetes are not at a significantly higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease than other children and young people of the same age. However, as with other viral illnesses, there is an increased risk for ketones and even DKA if diabetes is not carefully managed. Please keep in mind that we are learning new information about this novel virus on a daily basis. 

How can I prevent my child from getting COVID-19? Should I do anything differently?
We advise children with diabetes and their families to be vigilant to well-known preventative measures to help prevent infection including:

  • Hand washing
  • Maintaining social distancing
  • Using a mask when out of the home
  • Avoid being around anyone who is sick
  • Following all local regulations regarding public activity

What if my child has symptoms of COVID-19?
If your child has concerning symptoms, please contact your primary care doctor or pediatrician to arrange for testing and seek medical advice. Please follow your blood glucose and ketones closely and follow your diabetes sick day plan.

My child has tested positive for COVID-19, what do we do?
It is important to monitor your blood glucose and ketones closely and follow your sick day plan. If your child is having high fever, trouble breathing or other concerning symptoms, you should call their primary care provider or seek urgent medical care. 

Should I keep my child out of school in the fall if it is in-person?
This will be a decision that each family has to make based on their situation. The decision to have school in-person will be based on the community transmission in your area. The benefits of learning, socializing with peers and being involved in school activities must be considered with the risk of the virus. COVID-19 typically has a milder course in children, and the evidence we have so far suggests that most children and young people with diabetes are not at a significantly higher risk compared to other children and young people of the same age. However, as with other viral illnesses, there is an increased risk for ketones and even DKA if diabetes is not carefully managed. 

Whether schools meet in-person or with distance learning, your child has rights. ADA has helpful resources on this topic: https://www.diabetes.org/coronavirus-covid-19/know-your-rights-covid-19

Closing:
Thank you for your dedication to your child’s diabetes management. As always, should you have specific concerns that come up, do not hesitate to contact our clinic.

COVID-19 y Diabetes

Con el creciente número de casos de coronavirus / COVID-19 en Colorado y Wyoming, entendemos que los pacientes con diabetes y sus familias tendrán preocupaciones especiales sobre cómo esto puede afectar su salud. Para los adultos mayores con diabetes, se ha publicado ampliamente que la diabetes representa un factor de riesgo importante para las complicaciones de COVID-19. El virus generalmente tiene un curso más leve en los niños, y la evidencia que tenemos hasta ahora sugiere que la mayoría de los niños y jóvenes con diabetes no tienen un riesgo significativamente mayor de enfermedad grave por COVID-19 que otros niños y jóvenes de la misma edad. Sin embargo, al igual que con otras enfermedades virales, existe un mayor riesgo de cetonas e incluso cetoacidosis diabética si la diabetes no se maneja con cuidado. Tenga en cuenta que estamos aprendiendo nueva información sobre este nuevo virus a diario.

¿Cómo puedo evitar que mi hijo se contagie con COVID-19? ¿Debo hacer algo diferente?
Aconsejamos a los niños con diabetes y a sus familias que estén atentos a las medidas preventivas bien conocidas para ayudar a prevenir infecciones, que incluyen:

  • Lavado de manos
  • Mantener el distanciamiento social
  • Usar una máscara cuando esté fuera de casa
  • Evite estar cerca de alguien que esté enfermo
  • Seguir todas las regulaciones locales sobre la actividad pública

¿Qué pasa si mi hijo tiene síntomas de COVID-19?
Si su hijo tiene síntomas preocupantes, comuníquese con su médico de atención primaria o pediatra para coordinar las pruebas y buscar asistencia médica. Siga de cerca su nivel de glucosa y cetonas en la sangre y siga su plan de día para enfermos de diabetes.

Mi hijo ha dado positivo por COVID-19, ¿Qué hacemos?
Es importante controlar su glucosa en sangre y cetonas de cerca y seguir su plan de días de enfermedad. Si su hijo tiene fiebre alta, dificultad para respirar u otros síntomas preocupantes, debe llamar a su proveedor de atención primaria o buscar atención médica urgente.

¿Debo mantener a mi hijo fuera de la escuela en el otoño si es en persona?
Esta será una decisión que cada familia debe tomar en función de su situación. La decisión de tener la escuela en persona se basará en la transmisión comunitaria en su área. Los beneficios de aprender, socializar con sus compañeros y participar en actividades escolares deben considerarse con el riesgo del virus. COVID-19 generalmente tiene un curso más leve en niños, y la evidencia que tenemos hasta ahora sugiere que la mayoría de los niños y jóvenes con diabetes no tienen un riesgo significativamente mayor en comparación con otros niños y jóvenes de la misma edad. Sin embargo, al igual que con otras enfermedades virales, existe un mayor riesgo de cetonas e incluso cetoacidosis diabética (DKA) si la diabetes no se maneja con cuidado.

Ya sea que las escuelas se reúnan en persona o con educación a distancia, su hijo tiene derechos. ADA tiene recursos útiles sobre este tema: https://www.diabetes.org/coronavirus-covid-19/know-your-rights-covid-19. La traducción en español aún no está a su disposición. 

Concluimos:
Gracias por su dedicación al manejo de la diabetes de su hijo. Como siempre, si tiene inquietudes específicas que surjan, no dude en comunicarse con nuestra clínica.

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