Are thyroid functions affected in children diagnosed with COVID-19?

Authors : Kamil YILMAZ, Edip UNAL

Pages : 257-261

Doi:10.32322/jhsm.891646

View : 30 | Download : 9

Publication Date : 2021-05-21

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Introduction: In December 2019, a novel type of coronavirus infection insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(SARS-CoV-2); emerged in China and started to spread rapidly. It is unclear whether the thyroid gland is affected in patients with COVID-19. We aimed to investigate the changes in thyroid function in pediatric patients with COVID-19. Methods: This study enrolled 79 patients aged 0-18 years with confirmed COVID-19 and the control group consisted of 57 healthy children. All patients thyroid function tests and acute phase reactants were studied. Results: The median age was 132 months in the patient group and 108 months in the control group. TSH level was lower in the COVID-19 patients compared to the controls although the difference did not statistical significance insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.051);. Free T3 level was significantly lower in the patient group compared to the control group insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001);. All patients with COVID-19 had normal TSH levels and fT3 was lower in 7 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(8.8%); of 79 patients. Correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between fT3 level and CRP, procalcitonin levels. No significant correlation was found between disease severity and thyroid hormone levels. Conclusion: as far as we know, our study is the first to evaluate thyroid functions in children with COVID-19. As in many other severe disease states, ESS may develop in COVID-19. It can be concluded that the pituitary-thyroid axis is not severely affected in pediatric patients COVID-19, especially in those with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic disease. It should be remembered that the disease course may be more severe particularly in patients who develop ESS.
Keywords : COVID 19, euthyroid sick syndrome, fT3, thyroid