The Challenges of Managing Pediatric Diabetes and Other Endocrine Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From an International Cross-Sectional Electronic Survey.
Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)
; 12: 735554, 2021.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1528817
ABSTRACT
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.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Surveys and Questionnaires
/
Disease Management
/
Internationality
/
Diabetes Mellitus
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Fendo.2021.735554
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS