Coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and children with diabetes
We are following the National General Advice and you can find the most up to date information below.
NEW – 010222 COVID-19 vaccination for at risk 5 to 11-year-olds – The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that 5 to 11-year-olds who are either in a clinical risk group or are a household contact of someone of any age who is immunosuppressed should be offered two 10 micrograms doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with a minimum interval of eight weeks between doses.
- The Government’s response – Click here
- NHS England advice for everyone – Click here
- NHS England guidance for clinicians and NHS managers – Click here
Information and Guidance on Social Distancing and Self Isolation:
- Government guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK – Click here
- It doesn’t say people with diabetes should self isolate for 12 weeks. It says they should be stringent about social distancing.
BSPED Guidance
BSPED position statement on schools reopening
ISPAD Guidance
The below documents have the aim of offering ISPAD guidance for all Health Care Professionals that care for children, adolescents and young adults with diabetes, in face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 and Children with Diabetes
Coronavirus infection (COVID-19) – II ISPAD Summary
Understanding sick day management for young persons with insulin treated diabetes is important, especially now as the world faces pandemic COVID-19. Although youth with diabetes do not appear to be at an increased risk for severe illness with COVID-19, they may experience hyperglycemia and ketosis if infected. Thus, it Is extremely important to be familiar with the ISPAD Clinical Guidelinses about the Sick day management. It remains important to frequently monitor glucose and ketones levels during any intercurrent illness and to provide supplemental insulin doses every 2-4 hours along with maintaining hydration status. It is very important – never to stop delivering insulin completely!
Provision of sick day education to patients and family members along with availability of 24 hour, 7 day a week access to expert health care team advice can successfully manage sick days and prevent progression to DKA in young persons with insulin-treated diabetes. Modern diabetes treatment advances can facilitate sick day management; these advancements include blood ketone monitoring in place of urine ketone checks and use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices that provide frequent glucose data along with trend arrows that can assist with fine-tuning insulin dose adjustments.
Lastly, there are special clinical situations that place young persons with diabetes at high risk for ketogenesis and progression to DKA, including youth with disordered eating behaviors, use of SGLT1/2 inhibitors, and low carbohydrate diets. In these circumstances, frequent glucose and ketone monitoring along timely implementation of sick day management can prevent progression to DKA.
To learn more check the lecture about the Sick day management in type 1 diabetes, challenges in the developed world by Frances Mouat here.
ESPE Guidance
COVID-19 Information for children and adolescents living with endocrine conditions, including type 1 diabetes mellitus – Click here
Useful Resources
The following resources have been developed by Rose Stewart in the Wrexham transition service
How to go to sleep
How to get to sleep – print version
Managing worry about covid-19 and a health condition
Managing worry about covid-19 and a health condition – print version
Managing worry about covid-19 and type 1 diabetes
Managing worry about covid-19 and type 1 diabetes – print version
Self isolating when you have diabetes
Self isolating when you have diabetes – print version
Abbott Resources for Patients with Diabetes
Abbott Resources for Healthcare Professionals