Pediatric Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison Disease) Questions & Answers

Updated: Jan 12, 2022
  • Author: Kimberly Tafuri, DO; Chief Editor: Sasigarn A Bowden, MD, FAAP  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

How is pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease) diagnosed?

How is pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease) treated?

What is the anatomy of the adrenal cortex relevant to pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What causes iatrogenic central pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is the most common cause of acquired primary pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is type 1 polyglandular autoimmune disorder (PGAD)?

What is type 2 polyglandular autoimmune disorder (PGAD)?

Other than PGAD, what causes acquired pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What causes congenital primary pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is relative pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is the prevalence of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is the prognosis of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What are the possible complications of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is included in patient education about pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is included in patient education about the administration of glucocorticoid for pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

Presentation

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of chronic pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of autoimmune pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

Which physical findings are characteristic of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

DDX

Which conditions are included in the differential diagnoses of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What are the differential diagnoses for Pediatric Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison Disease)?

Workup

What are the diagnostic considerations in the workup of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is the role of electrolyte level measurement in the workup of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is the role of serum cortisol testing in the workup of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

How is a diagnosis of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease) confirmed by serum control testing, and does salivary cortisol testing also have value?

What is the role of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) testing in the workup of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What are alternatives to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) testing in the workup of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is the role of an insulin-tolerance test in the workup of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is the role of metyrapone stimulation in the workup of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is the role of antiadrenal antibody testing in the workup of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is the role of CT scanning and MRI in the workup of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is the role of radiography and ultrasonography in the workup of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

Which histologic findings are characteristic of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

Treatment

What is the role of glucocorticoid replacement in the treatment of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

How is adrenal crisis treated in pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is the role of dehydroepiandrosterone in the treatment of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

Which causes of impaired adrenal function should be considered when treating pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is the initial treatment for acute pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is the role of fluid resuscitation in the treatment of acute pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is the role of dextrose in the treatment of acute pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is the role of glucocorticoids in the treatment of acute pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

Which medications are given prior to surgery in pediatric patients with adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

Which medications are given during surgery in pediatric patients with adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What medications are given following surgery in pediatric patients with adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is adrenal insufficiency (AI) (Addison disease) treated in stressed or ill pediatric patients?

How is adrenal insufficiency (AI) (Addison disease) treated during pregnancy?

What is the role of caloric and activity monitoring in the treatment of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

What is included in the long-term monitoring of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

How is glucocorticoid maintenance dosing for the treatment of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease) monitored?

Which dietary modifications are used in the treatment of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

Medications

What is the role of medication in the treatment of pediatric adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?

Which medications in the drug class Glucocorticoids are used in the treatment of Pediatric Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison Disease)?

Which medications in the drug class Mineralocorticoids are used in the treatment of Pediatric Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison Disease)?