Recent years have seen a notable increase in type 1 diabetes diagnoses among children under five, according to a report by Barndiabetesfonden (The Child Diabetes Fund). In Sweden, cases rose from 283 in 2018 to 460 in 2022, marking a 62 percent increase. Nearly a third of these children required intensive care. The rise coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have played a role as viral illnesses are known precursors to type 1 diabetes. Research suggests that children whose mothers were not previously exposed to COVID-19 may face higher risks, while those with vaccinated or previously infected mothers have lower risks. Despite this association, the report anticipates a decrease in diabetes cases linked to COVID-19 as immunity levels increase in the population.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-06-sweden-diabetes-young-children.html#google_vignette
