Care of patients with inborn errors of metabolism during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico: Importance of telemedicine

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To communicate the outcomes of the experience with the application of some basic telemedicine tools in the care of patients with inborn errors of metabolism during the COVID-19 pandemic and to describe the face-to-face care carried out in the same period, in a third level of care pediatric center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with inborn errors of metabolism who received face-to-face or remote care (e-mail or instant messaging via Whats App®) at the National Institute of Pediatrics Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Screening Laboratory, March 23-JuIy 23, 2020. RESULTS: 117 patients with 26 different IEM were treated. 97 outpatient consultations were given, and 308 emails and 137 telephone messages were sent. Severe metabolic decompensation was only observed in one propionic acidemia patient, who required urgent admission. No deaths were registered. Seven patients were seen for the first time and 4 of them were referred due to an abnormal newborn screening result, but all these patients came late at ages between 4-9 months old. The main obstacles identified to provide telemedicine care were the lack of a modern telehealth platform in our institution and the lack of computers with internet by patients. CONCLUSION: Our results point out benefits of some telemedicine strategies but reveal the need for a modern institutional telehealth platform that allows the medical care for IEM patients and the training of both patients and health personnel involved with them.