‘While the virus destroys pancreatic cells affecting the production of insulin, steroids have accelerated underlying conditions. Anxiety and trauma have caused stress hyperglycaemia,’ says Dr Subhash Kumar Wangnoo, Senior Consultant, Endocrinologist and Diabetologist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.
People who suffered severe Covid and were hospitalised were more than twice as likely to go on to a diabetes diagnosis, compared with those who were not infected.
Children who have recovered from COVID-19 are at a higher risk of developing diabetes (both Type 1 and 2). A heightened risk of diabetes has already been seen among adults who recovered from COVID-19.