Abstract
BackgroundFrequency, dimensions, management, and outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic in children with endocrine disorders and diabetes were assessed.MethodsA cross-sectional electronic survey was distributed to the global network of endocrine societies. Respondents’ professional and practice profiles, clinic sizes, their country of practice, and the impact of COVID-19 on endocrine diseases were investigated.ResultsRespondents from 131 pediatric endocrine centers in 51 countries across all continents completed the survey. Routine check-ups and education were altered in most pediatric endocrine clinics. Over 20% of clinics experienced a shortage of critical medications or essential supplies. ICU treatment was required for patients with diabetes and COVID-19 in 21.2% of centers. In diabetes, 44% of respondents reported increased diabetic ketoacidosis episodes in newly diagnosed cases and 30% in established cases. Biopsychosocial and behavioral changes were explicitly reported to be occurring among pediatric patients with endocrine disorders.ConclusionsThis large global survey conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights that diabetes is more challenging to manage than any other pediatric endocrine disorder, with an increased risk of morbidity. Psychological distress due to COVID-19 needs to be recognized and addressed. The importance of close contact with healthcare professionals should be emphasized, and medical supplies should be readily available to all patients.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still having a severe global impact [1]
Most recent studies have examined endocrine disorders in adult populations [10,11,12,13]. This is despite healthcare professionals (HCPs) and families requiring guidance on the clinical management of children with endocrine disorders during the challenging circumstances of the COVID19 pandemic, especially those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
The target population was identified from a global network of endocrine societies, under the umbrella of the International Consortium for Pediatric Endocrinology (ICPE), made up of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD), European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology (ESPE), Global Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (GPED), Latin American Society of Pediatric Endocrinology (SLEP), Australasian Pediatric Endocrine Group (APEG), Asia Pacific Pediatric Endocrine Society (APPES), African Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology (ASPAE), Arab Society for Pediatric Endocrinology Diabetes (ASPED), Chinese Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism (CSPEM), Indian Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology (ISPAE), Japanese Society for Pediatric Endocrinology (JSPE), Pediatric Endocrinology Society of North America (PES), and Russian Pediatric Endocrinology Group (RAE)
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still having a severe global impact [1]. While children generally have milder disease than adults [5], occasional cases of a Kawasaki-like disease linked to SARS-CoV2 infection is a recognized complication of COVID-19 [multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) in children (MISC)] [6,7,8]. Most recent studies have examined endocrine disorders in adult populations [10,11,12,13]. This is despite healthcare professionals (HCPs) and families requiring guidance on the clinical management of children with endocrine disorders during the challenging circumstances of the COVID19 pandemic, especially those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Dimensions, management, and outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic in children with endocrine disorders and diabetes were assessed
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