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

Answer

Patients with suspected adrenal crisis should undergo immediate treatment with a parenteral injection of 100 mg (50 mg/m² for young children) hydrocortisone, after which, appropriate fluid resuscitation should be administered, as well as 200 mg (50-100 mg/m² for children) of hydrocortisone/24 hours (by way of continuous IV therapy or 6-hourly injection). If hydrocortisone is unavailable, prednisolone may be used. Dexamethasone is least-preferred, as its onset of action is slow.^[44]

After results for the patient's electrolyte, blood sugar, cortisol, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations are obtained, administer glucocorticoids if adrenal insufficiency is suspected. If a cosyntropin stimulation test is chosen, a single dose of dexamethasone may be administered without interfering with the measurement of the cortisol response to cosyntropin.

No surgical management is needed in most cases.

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Media Gallery

Regulation of the adrenal cortex. ACTH = adrenocorticotropic hormone; CRF = corticotropin-releasing factor; neg. = negative.
Left photograph shows hyperpigmentation on the dorsum of a patient's hand before the treatment of primary adrenal insufficiency. Right photograph shows normal pigmentation after treatment.
Left photograph shows a patient with Addison disease who has prominent pigmentation in areas not exposed to the sun, such as the palmar creases. Right photograph shows normal pigmentation after treatment.
Left photograph shows vitiligo in a patient with autoimmune adrenalitis. Right photograph shows an area of hyperpigmentation surrounding the vitiligo.
Left photomicrograph shows autoimmune adrenalitis. Right photomicrograph shows tuberculous adrenalitis. Note the caseous granuloma.
Computed tomography scan shows enlarged adrenal glands in a patient with early active autoimmune adrenalitis. Patients with chronic disease present with the opposite picture of hypotrophic adrenals.

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Author

Kimberly Tafuri, DO Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Stony Brook Children's Hospital

Kimberly Tafuri, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Endocrine Society, Pediatric Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Mary L Windle, PharmD Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Barry B Bercu, MD Professor, Departments of Pediatrics, Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, All Children's Hospital

Barry B Bercu, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Medical Association, American Pediatric Society, Association of Clinical Scientists, Endocrine Society, Florida Medical Association, Pediatric Endocrine Society, Society for Pediatric Research, Southern Society for Pediatric Research, Society for the Study of Reproduction, American Federation for Clinical Research, Pituitary Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Sasigarn A Bowden, MD Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics, Ohio State University College of Medicine; Pediatric Endocrinologist, Associate Fellowship Program Director, Division of Endocrinology, Nationwide Children’s Hospital; Affiliate Faculty/Principal Investigator, Center for Clinical Translational Research, Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Sasigarn A Bowden, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, Central Ohio Pediatric Society, Endocrine Society, International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes, Pediatric Endocrine Society, Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Karl S Roth, MD Retired Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Creighton University School of Medicine

Karl S Roth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Nutrition, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Nutrition, American Society of Nephrology, Association of American Medical Colleges, Medical Society of Virginia, New York Academy of Sciences, Sigma Xi, Society for Pediatric Research, Southern Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Phyllis W Speiser, MD Chief, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York; Professor of Pediatrics, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell

Phyllis W Speiser, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, Endocrine Society, Pediatric Endocrine Society, Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Thomas A Wilson, MD Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Chief and Program Director, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, The School of Medicine at Stony Brook University Medical Center

Thomas A Wilson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Endocrine Society, Pediatric Endocrine Society, Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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