TY - JOUR
T1 - The Challenges of Managing Pediatric Diabetes and Other Endocrine Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic
T2 - Results From an International Cross-Sectional Electronic Survey
AU - Elbarbary, Nancy Samir
AU - dos Santos, Tiago Jeronimo
AU - de Beaufort, Carine
AU - Wiltshire, Esko
AU - Pulungan, Aman
AU - Scaramuzza, Andrea Enzo
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors would like to express their gratitude to all survey respondents who shared their expertise and experience by participating in the survey and making this study possible. We also thank the International Consortium for Pediatric Endocrinology (ICPE) and the societies participating in this survey.
Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright © 2021 Elbarbary, dos Santos, de Beaufort, Wiltshire, Pulungan and Scaramuzza.
PY - 2021/11/5
Y1 - 2021/11/5
N2 - Background: Frequency, dimensions, management, and outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic in children with endocrine disorders and diabetes were assessed. Methods: A 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. Results: Respondents 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. Conclusions: This 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.
AB - Background: Frequency, dimensions, management, and outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic in children with endocrine disorders and diabetes were assessed. Methods: A 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. Results: Respondents 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. Conclusions: This 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.
KW - adrenal
KW - children
KW - COVID-19
KW - diabetes
KW - growth
KW - obesity and metabolic syndrome
KW - puberty
KW - thyroid
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85119406902&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fendo.2021.735554
DO - 10.3389/fendo.2021.735554
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85119406902
SN - 1664-2392
VL - 12
JO - Frontiers in Endocrinology
JF - Frontiers in Endocrinology
M1 - 735554
ER -