Aims Billions of people have been under lockdown in an attempt to prevent COVID-19 spread. Lifestyle changes during lockdown could lead to deterioration of glycemic control in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the glycemic control of pediatric patients with T1D. Methods This observational real-life study from the AWeSoMe Group assessed continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics of 102 T1D patients (52.9% males, mean age 11.2 ± 3.8 years, mean diabetes duration 4.2 ± 3.8 years) who used Dexcom G5. The data were accessed without any interface between patients, caregivers, and the diabetes team. Study variables from CGM metrics were: mean glucose level, time-in-range (TIR, 70–180 mg/dL; 3.9–10 mmol/L), hypoglycemia (< 54 mg/dL; < 3 mmol/L), hyperglycemia (> 250 mg/dL; > 13.3 mmol/L), coefficient of variation (CV), and time CGM active before and during lockdown. Delta-variable = lockdown variable minus before-lockdown variable. Results The mean TIR was 60.9 ± 14.3% before lockdown, with no significant change during lockdown (delta-TIR was 0.9 ± 7.9%). TIR during lockdown was significantly correlated with TIR before lockdown (r = 0.855, P < 0.001). Patients with improved TIR (delta-TIR > 3%) were significantly older than patients with stable or worse TIR (P = 0.028). Children aged < 10 years had a significantly higher CV before lockdown and during lockdown than children aged ≥ 10 years (P = 0.02 and P = 0.005, respectively). Among children aged < 10 years, a multiple linear regression model revealed associations of age and lower socioeconomic cluster with delta-TIR (F = 4.416, P = 0.019) and with delta-mean glucose (F = 4.459, P = 0.018). Conclusions CGM metrics in pediatric patients with T1D were relatively stable during a nationwide lockdown. Intervention plans should focus on younger patients with lower socioeconomic position.

Background: Pediatric obesity has been linked to the components of metabolic syndrome (MetS: abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure, and insulin resistance). Data on the role of muscle mass in the development of MetS are sparse. We explored the interaction between the muscle-to-fat ratio (MFR) and MetS components in children with overweight or obesity. Methods: An observational study of 210 pediatric subjects (88 boys, mean age [±standard deviation (SD)] 11.9 ± 3.1 years, BMI z-score range 1.036–3.140) from January 2018 to January 2021. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (Tanita MC-780 MA and GMON Professional Software), and MFR z-scores were calculated. Results: The 148 subjects (70%) who had MetS components were older ( p = 0.008), had lower socioeconomic positions, higher triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratios, fat percentages (FATP), truncal FATPs (TRFATPs), and lower MFR z-scores ( p < 0.001 for all parameters) than those without MetS components. The correlation between the MFR z-score and the BMI z-score was stronger in subjects with obesity than in subjects with overweight ( r = −0.556 vs. r = −0.440, p < 0.001 for both). The risk for MetS components increased by 1.4 for every 3% increase in FATP or TRFATP [odds ratio (OR) = 1.4, confidence interval ([CI] 1.20, 1.64), p < 0.001]. The risk for MetS components was tripled for every 1 SD decrease in MFR z-scores [OR = 3.3, CI (1.74, 6.27), p < 0.001]. Conclusions: Given the strong predictive value of the MFR z-score in the development of early-onset MetS components, preventive strategies should apply interventions for improving the body composition parameters of both adiposity and muscle.

Introduction: The preventive measures taken in attempt to prevent COVID-19 spread lead to closure of schools and leisure time activities. The impact of the pandemic on pediatric weight status is unclear, reports from around the world predict grave consequences with increasing obesity. We aimed to examine the change in body composition parameters of children and adolescents during the pandemic.Materials and Methods: An observational study of 220 pediatric subjects (109 boys; mean current age 11.8 ± 3.3 years; 37 with underweight, 123 with normal weight, and 60 with overweight/obesity) who underwent height and body composition measurements by bioelectrical impedance analysis, Tanita MC-780MA, GMON Professional Software before and during the pandemic. Height, body mass index (BMI) and muscle-to-fat ratio (MFR) z-scores were calculated. Data collected from the participants' medical files included home address for socioeconomic position calculation, pubertal stage, and self-reported sleep duration and physical activity performance.Results: The vast majority of the cohort (81.8%) had stable or improved MFR z-scores during the pandemic. MFR z-scores significantly increased in subjects with underweight (p = 0.05) and normal weight (p = 0.008), but not in subjects with overweight/obesity (p = 0.169). There were significant associations in BMI z-scores (r = 0.961, p < 0.001) and MFR z-scores (r = 0.854, p < 0.001) before and during the pandemic. A multivariate linear regression model identified socioeconomic position, pre-pandemic BMI z-scores, pre-pandemic MFR z-scores, and physical activity levels during the pandemic as predictors for delta MFR z-scores (F = 12.267, p < 0.001). Age, sex, pre-pandemic physical activity, and the time that had elapsed between initiation of the first nationwide lockdown and the BIA assessment during the pandemic did not emerge as predictors for delta MFR z-score.Conclusions: Our encouraging findings demonstrate improvement in body composition parameters of subjects with underweight and normal weight and stability in subjects with overweight/obesity. Engagement in physical activity during the pandemic predicted improvement, while lower socioeconomic position predicted deterioration.

An inactivating PHEX gene mutation with the resultant accumulation of several mineralization-inhibiting proteins (e.g., FGF23) causes skeletal and dental morbidity in X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH). This prospective case-control study explored the effect of burosumab, an anti-FGF23 antibody, on dental health of children with XLH. Ten children (age 4.3-15 years) with XLH underwent burosumab treatment per protocol. Assessment of their dental status at treatment initiation and after 1 and 3 years of treatment included clinical, laboratory and radiographic evaluation of rickets and dentition. Orthopantomographic examinations of ten healthy sex- and age-matched controls were selected for comparison. Coronal and pulp dimensions of a selected permanent mandibular molar were measured with Planmeca Romexis^® software. One year of treatment led to improvement of height z-score (p=0.019) and healing of the rickets (p<0.001) in the XLH patients, and those achievements were maintained after three years of treatment. Dental morphology of XLH patients, distinguished by increased pulp-coronal ratios compared to controls (p=0.002), remained larger after the first year of treatment (p<0.001) and did not attain the decrease expected with age after three years of treatment. Five patients had a history of recurrent dental abscesses, with three having undergone at least one episode during the year before burosumab initiation. One patient sustained recurrent abscesses throughout three years of treatment. The persistence of the unique dental morphology of XLH patients undergoing burosumab therapy, as evidenced by excessively larger pulp dimensions, supports the role of other PHEX gene-related local mineralization inhibitors, such as osteopontin, in the pathogenesis of dental morbidity.

Objective To evaluate the incidence and severity of ketoacidosis (DKA) at type 1 diabetes diagnosis during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Israel. Research Design and Methods A population-based study the product of a national collaboration of Israeli pediatric diabetes centers investigated the presentation of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. The frequencies of DKA and severe DKA observed during the COVID-19 period from March 15, 2020 (commencement of the first nationwide lockdown) until June 30, 2020 were compared with the same periods in 2019, 2018, and 2017 using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, and socioeconomic position. Results During the COVID-19 period, DKA incidence was 58.2%, significantly higher than in 2019 (adjusted OR [aOR] 2.18 [95% CI, 1.31-3.60], P = 0.003); 2018 (aOR 2.05 [95% CI, 1.26-3.34], P = 0.004); and 2017 (aOR, 1.79 [95% CI,1.09-2.93], P = 0.022). The incidence of severe DKA was 19.9%, significantly higher than in 2018 (aOR, 2.49 [95% CI, 1.20-5.19], P = 0.015) and 2017 (aOR, 2.73 [95% CI,1.28-5.82], P = 0.009). In 2020, admissions and duration of stay in the intensive care unit were higher than in previous years (P = 0.001). During the COVID-19 pandemic, children aged 6-11 years had higher incidences of DKA (61.3% vs 34.0%, 40.6%, and 45.1%, respectively, P = 0.012), and severe DKA (29.3% vs 15.1%, 10.9%, and 5.9%, respectively, P = 0.002). Conclusions The dramatic increase in DKA at presentation of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic mandates targeted measures to raise public and physician awareness.