Diagnosis and Management of Adrenal Insufficiency in Children and Adults

摘要: Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is a common life-threatening endocrine condition. It caused by the inability of adrenal glands to produce cortisol, hormone essential for life, either due failure adrenals (primary AI), or diseases affecting hypothalamus pituitary which control (secondary AI). Patients with AI require lifelong glucocorticoid (GC) replacement therapy and increased GC doses during periods intercurrent illness other major psychological physical stress mimic normal increase in physiological cortisol response such situations. Inadequate daily maintenance illness, can precipitate an crisis (AC) be fatal if immediate administration parenteral hydrocortisone delayed.