Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) represents one of the most frequent chronic illnesses affecting children. The early diagnosis of this disease is crucial, as it plays a key role in preventing the development of a life-threatening acute complication: diabetic ketoacidosis. The etiopathogenetic role of viral infections has long been suggested and emerging data are pointing towards a complex bidirectional relationship between diabetes and COVID-19. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and severity of new T1DM cases in children in Romania. We analyzed the differences between a group of 312 patients diagnosed with T1DM in the period 2003–2019 and a group of 147 children diagnosed during the pandemic. The data were investigated using statistical analysis of a series of relevant variables. The total number of newly diagnosed T1DM increased by 30.08% in the period March 2020–February 2021 compared to the previous years. The patients in the pandemic group had a higher mean age at the onset of T1DM, were less frequently living in an urban area, and presented a higher mean value of HbA1c. Diabetic ketoacidosis at the onset of T1DM was 67.40% more frequent, and a higher percentage of these patients presented with a severe form. The duration of T1DM symptoms did not differ significantly between the two groups. A number of 8 patients associated SARS-CoV-2 infection at the time of T1DM diagnosis.

Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, although presenting less severe forms of the disease in children, seems to play a role in the development of other conditions, including type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). After the beginning of the pandemic, an increase in the number of T1DM pediatric patients was observed in several countries, thus leading to many questions about the complex relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and T1DM. Our study aimed to highlight possible correlations between SARS-CoV-2 serology and T1DM onset. Therefore, we performed an observational retrospective cohort study that included 158 children diagnosed with T1DM in the period April 2021–April 2022. The presence or absence of SARS-CoV-2 and T1DM-specific antibodies and other laboratory findings were assessed. In the group of patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 serology, a higher percentage had detectable IA-2A antibodies, more children were positive for all three islet autoantibodies determined (GADA, ICA, and IA-2A), and a higher mean HbA1c value was found. No difference existed between the two groups regarding DKA presence and severity. A lower C-peptide level was found in the patients presenting diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at T1DM onset. When compared to a group of patients diagnosed before the pandemic, an increased incidence of both DKA and severe DKA, as well as a higher age at diagnosis and higher levels of HbA1c were present in our study group. These findings have important implications for the ongoing monitoring and management of children with T1DM after the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight the need for further research to better understand the complex relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and T1DM.

Background: C-peptide is used as an important indicator of residual insulin secretion in patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and treated with insulin.

Background/Objectives: Gingivitis is one of the most prevalent inflammatory conditions in pediatric populations and represents a significant oral health burden worldwide. In addition to conventional approaches, emerging adjunctive therapies such as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation, have gained increasing attention. This review aims to evaluate current evidence regarding the clinical relevance and potential healthcare implications of LLLT in the management of gingival inflammation in children and adolescents. Methods: A structured narrative literature review was conducted, including experimental, animal, and clinical studies published between 2005 and 2025. Study selection and screening were performed independently by two reviewers. Methodological characteristics of the included pediatric clinical studies were qualitatively assessed, focusing on randomization, blinding, follow-up reporting, and adverse event monitoring. Results: Experimental studies demonstrate that LLLT enhances gingival cell proliferation and modulates inflammatory responses, while antimicrobial effects remain inconsistent. Animal studies indicate reductions in gingival inflammation and alveolar bone loss when LLLT is used adjunctively with conventional therapy. Clinical studies in pediatric populations report improvements in gingival indices and periodontal treatment needs, with no adverse effects observed. Conclusions: LLLT appears to be a safe, non-invasive adjunctive therapy with potential to improve oral health outcomes in pediatric populations. Its clinical applicability and high patient acceptability support its potential integration into broader oral healthcare strategies. However, further well-designed clinical trials with standardized protocols and long-term follow-up are required.