Ukr.Biochem.J. 2023; Volume 95, Issue 3, May-Jun, pp. 12-21

doi: https://doi.org/10.15407/ubj95.03.012

SARS-CoV-2 infection and thyroid dysfunction in children

06.07.2023   Uncategorized   No comments

K. V. Kozak1*, H. A. Pavlyshyn1, I. Y. Avramenko2,
O. M. Dyvonyak3, O. O.Shevchuk1, K. T. Hlushko1

1I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ternopil, Ukraine;
2Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine;
3Ternopil Municipal Children’s Hospital, Ternopil, Ukraine;
*e-mail: kozakk@tdmu.edu.ua

Received: 08 May 2023; Revised: 28 May 2023;
Accepted: 29 May 2023; Available on-line: 11 July 2023

The problem of thyroid dysfunction related to SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unclear in children. Therefore, the study aimed to reveal the interrelationship between thyroid dysfunction and COVID-19 severity­ as well as to determine optimal cut-off values for screening for thyroid disorders in children. A total number of 90 children aged from 1 month to 17 years were involved in the study. Patients with known thyroid disease were not recruited for the research. A thyroid panel was assessed for all participants that included: free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and anti-thyroid peroxidase (ATPO) antibodies. Statistical analysis was done using the computer software Statistica 13.0. Research has revealed euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS) in 14.10% of SARS-CoV-2 infected children more often among patients with severe COVID-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome (33.33%) compared to mild COVID-19 course (6.67%) and moderate disease severity (8.89%) (P < 0.05). Significant correlation relationships were revealed for next values – FT3 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (rs = -0.22; P < 0.05); FT3 and C-reactive protein (CRP) (rs = -0.33; P < 0.05); FT3 and procalcitonin (rs = -0.43; P < 0.05). The next cut-off values for ESS determination were revealed: ESR 18.5 mm/h (AUC 0.803); CRP 11.5 mg/l (AUC 0.763); ferritin 84.8 ng/ml (AUC 0.733). Results suggest that pediatricians should pay attention to the endocrine disruptions by COVID-19 in children.

Keywords: , ,

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