title: The effect of percutaneously absorbed steroids on hypothalamic--pituitary--adrenal function after intensive use in in-patients.
abstract: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function has been monitored in adults and children who required intensive treatment of their skin disease with topical corticosteroid preparations while in hospital. Evidence of mild suppression of the HPA axis was seen in adults when the more potent topical steroids were used, but recovery of function was rapid when the intensive treatment ceased. In children suppression was still present in twelve of sixteen cases on the 2nd day after treatment with 0-1% betamethasone 17-valerate ointment had stopped, yet in nine cases treated in a comparable manner with 1% hydrocortisone acetate ointment, there was no evidence of impaired HPA axis function.
mesh_terms: D015065:17-Hydroxycorticosteroids / Q000652:urine; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D001624:Betamethasone Valerate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002087:Butyrates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005443:Flumethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005447:Fluocinonide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D015065:17-Hydroxycorticosteroids; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D002087:Butyrates; D005447:Fluocinonide; D001624:Betamethasone Valerate; D005443:Flumethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone