title: Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal function in infantile spasms: effects of ACTH therapy.
abstract: The metyrapone test was used to study the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal function in ten children with infantile spasms, before and after ACTH treatment. The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal response was normal before ACTH treatment in almost all children. After ACTH, the responses of two children were suggestive of a diminished pituitary reserve; three were suggestive of decreased adrenal as well as decreased pituitary reserve, and one suggested either adrenal hyperplasia with normal pituitary reserve, or appropriate response to a developing medical stress. We suggest that, in children being treated with ACTH, the dosage of ACTH should be gradually tapered, AM cortisol levels should be monitored, and high-dose steroids should be included when treating medical stress.
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003350:Cortodoxone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008797:Metyrapone; D013036:Spasms, Infantile / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003350:Cortodoxone; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D008797:Metyrapone