SOCIAL AND MEDICAL ASPECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. MANIFESTATION PARTICULARITIES OF THE NEWLY DIAGNOSED TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has affected the healthcare systems Worldwide causing not only a redistribution of healthcare resources aimed at combating the pandemic and helping patients who required emergency treatment for COVID-19, but also, to a certain extent, restricting access to consultative and outpatient centers. In addition, due to the fear of contracting an infection, patients delayed seeking qualified and timely medical care, did not go to specialized medical institutions or engaged in self-diagnosis and self-medication, which in its turn has worsened the course of certain diseases or even led to the development of life-threatening conditions. The cancellation of medical appointments, elective procedures and prescriptions as well as concerns about contracting COVID-19 when seeking medical care during the pandemic have all led to delays in diagnosis and timely provision of necessary medical care to pediatric patients. Increase in online consultations has led to a decrease in face-to-face contacts with physicians, which may have contributed to underestimation of the severity of the disease. During any infectious pandemic the social isolation undoubtedly effectively reduces the spread of infectious diseases by reducing social contacts in spite of negative consequences that affect both the healthcare system and public health: a decrease in the quality of medical services due to the redistribution of resources, refusal from seeking medical advice due to patients’ fear of contracting an infection when visiting medical institutions as well as delayed diagnosis of diseases and untimely identification of life-threatening conditions. One of such conditions is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This complication is very common, has the most severe course and has greater risk for future disability and mortality during the manifestation of newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D).