Effects of dexamethasone on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in preterm infants.
The effects of dexamethasone therapy on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis were tested in 10 premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia by means of the corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test before therapy and on the seventh day of therapy. Adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. There was significant suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis after 7 days of a currently used dexamethasone treatment regimen. A site of suppression was located at the level of the pituitary gland.
Rizvi
Z B
ZB
Section of Neonatology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois 60153.
Aniol
H S
HS
Myers
T F
TF
Zeller
W P
WP
Fisher
S G
SG
Anderson
C L
CL
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013997:Time Factors
D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone