Auto-immune thyroiditis in SARS-CoV-2 exposed twins.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been associated with various organ-specific complications.
• Thyroid dysfunction has been reported as a sequela, primarily in adult populations.

Observation:

• This report details two previously healthy adolescent twins who developed hypothyroidism following a mild COVID-19 infection.
• Clinical presentation included symptoms of hypothyroidism, elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), low free thyroxine (FT4), and positive anti-thyroid peroxidase and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies.

Findings:

• Investigations confirmed autoimmune thyroiditis leading to primary hypothyroidism in both adolescent twins.
• The patients exhibited a rapid clinical improvement after appropriate thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

Implications:

• This case suggests a potential link between COVID-19 infection and the development of autoimmune thyroiditis and primary hypothyroidism in genetically susceptible children.
• It expands the known spectrum of post-infectious sequelae in pediatric populations, emphasizing the need for monitoring thyroid function after COVID-19.