Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on children diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis admitted in a tertiary pediatric hospital
- Author:
Camille S. Cantalejo S. Cantalejo
;
Lorna R. Abad
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Diabetic Ketoacidosis;
Diabetes Mellitus;
COVID-19
- From:
The Philippine Children’s Medical Center Journal
2024;20(1):22-31
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives:This study aims to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the
incidence, severity, and outcome of children diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis admitted in a
tertiary pediatric hospital.
Materials and Methods:Two groups were identified as the basis for classification:
pre-pandemic (2017 to 2019) and COVID-19 pandemic (2020 to 2022). The Mann‐Whitney U test
was utilized to test for the differences in continuous variables, while Pearson’s chi‐squared test was
used to test for differences in categorical variables.
Results:The study involved 136 participants, 63 of whom were recorded in the pre-pandemic
period and 73 during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Data revealed no conclusive relationship
between sex (p=0.578), age (p=0.225), or height (p=0.876) across the two time frames. However,
data showed significant difference between the weight (p=0.007) and BMI (p=0.003) of children
with DKA pre-pandemic and during pandemic. This implies that marked changes in weight and
BMI reflect possible changes in health behaviors, healthcare access, or other variables that may
have altered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, there was no discernible difference
between pre-pandemic and COVID-19 in terms of severity, incidence, or the amount of time
between the onset of symptoms and consultation.
Conclusion:The demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with DKA across
the two study periods indicate a degree of stability in patient profiles. Despite the unique
circumstances of the pandemic, patient outcomes in terms of glycemic control and mortality were
like those observed pre-pandemic. The significant difference in weight and BMI emphasizes how
crucial it is to monitor and respond to modifications in the nutritional status and metabolic health of
DKA patients during times of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Comprehending these changes
can provide focused treatments aimed at promoting the best possible health outcomes for
susceptible patient groups.
- Full text:2024062614182424960Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.pdf
