title: [Adrenocortical function in children with near fatal asthma].
abstract: The adrenal function of children with near fatal asthma was evaluated by a modified rapid ACTH test. The rapid ACTH tests, which were performed within six months of each life-threatening asthmatic episode, showed extremely low responsiveness. The response in the subjects was significantly lower than that of patients who had received high dose of corticosteroid therapy. It was suggested that the adrenocortical function of children with near fatal asthma had been already suppressed and that adrenal suppression could easily occur in such patients. We advocate the following measures: (1) environmental control, education of patients and their families, physical training accurate medication should be supplied to reduce the use of corticosteroids, (2) sufficient doses of corticosteroids should, however be given to patients with acute exacerbation, (3) not only lung function tests or allergic examinations, but also adrenocortical function tests should be performed on severe asthmatic patients.
authors.affiliation: National Children's Hospital, Ninomiya Branch Hospital.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Katsunuma
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsubaki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ebisawa
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sakaguchi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Iikura
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mishima
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sugimoto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000304:Adrenal Cortex Function Tests; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone