Racial differences at onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in youth during the COVID-pandemic have been documented in the US. Limited data are available in type 2 diabetes (T2D) . No data are available to our knowledge at follow up (FU) . We compared characteristics at onset and 1 year FU in white vs. black children diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) in 2020 at a large pediatric academic center. A total of 276 youth (53% male, 81% white, mean age at onset 10.8±4.5 years, mean HbA1c 12.1±2.7%, 45% with BMI ≥ 85th percentile, 43% presenting in DKA) , were identified via retrospective chart review. 78% were diagnosed with T1D, 21% with T2D and 1% with MODY. Age (10.8±3.9 vs. 10±4.5 years, p=0.5) , prevalence of BMI ≥ 85thile (47 vs. 28%, p=0.12) and mean HbA1c (12.3±2.5 vs. 12.1±2.7, p=0.84) were similar in blacks vs. whites at onset of T1D. In those diagnosed with T2D, blacks compared to whites had a higher mean HbA1c (11.9±2.9 vs. 9.7±2.3%, p=0.04) as well as prevalence of DKA (26 vs. 0% respectively, p=0.02) . Characteristics at 1 year FU by race and type of DM are presented below.
A year after onset, 2/3 of youth with T1D and half with T2D had HbA1c above target, more commonly in blacks, in spite of ˜ 90% of our patients having FU, albeit virtually, during the pandemic. Further research is needed to explore the reasons for the disparities and interventions should be implemented to improve DM control in youth diagnosed during the pandemic.
N.Mkparu: None. T.Costacou: None. E.Barinas-mitchell: None. I.Libman: Consultant; Novo Nordisk.
