63rd Endocrine Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2020

Paediatric Endocrinology during the Covid-19  Pandemic (#16)

Catherine Choong 1
  1. Princess Margaret Hospital, Subiaco, WA, Australia

Our understanding of susceptibility and effects of COVID – 19 infections continues to evolve as this pandemic continues. The spectrum of acute illness varies with age and children may have milder disease and deaths are rare. Some present with gastro intestinal symptoms rather than respiratory symptoms, others develop a systemic inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with SARS –CoV2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 utilises the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor for entry into host cells. This raises the possibility of internalisation into endocrine organs known to express ACE2.  This includes pancreas, thyroid, testis, ovary, adrenal glands and pituitary.  How COVID-19 infection affects the function and growth of these organs in children and neonates remains unknown. Early reports detailing the endocrine effects of   COVID-19 infection in children in addition to advances in Paediatric Endocrine Research during 2019-2020 will be presented here.