title: Endocrine problems in critically ill children: an overview.
abstract: The endocrine system maintains a delicate balance of physiologic processes including growth and sexual maturation, energy production and utilization, fluid and electrolyte balance, and circulatory function. Although endocrine regulation of growth and sexual maturation is a significant issue in general pediatrics, disorders of energy production and utilization, fluid and electrolyte balance, and circulatory function are the endocrine causes of critical illness in children. Care of the child with critical endocrine disease requires an understanding of endocrine pathophysiology, keen history taking and assessment skills, and knowledge of the pharmacology of synthetic hormone treatment. This article will provide an overview of common endocrine problems encountered in critically ill children with attention to endocrine problems that are unique to pediatrics and that may pose diagnostic and treatment dilemmas for healthcare providers without experience or education in pediatric critical care.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the School of Nursing, The University of Pennsylvania, 19104, USA. trimarchi@email.chop.edu
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Trimarchi
mesh_terms: D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000502:physiology; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D016638:Critical Illness; D003919:Diabetes Insipidus / Q000628:therapy; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000628:therapy; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005934:Glucagon / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000502:physiology; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000628:therapy; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000628:therapy; D007177:Inappropriate ADH Syndrome / Q000628:therapy; D007328:Insulin / Q000502:physiology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000503:physiopathology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D007328:Insulin; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D014667:Vasopressins; D000450:Aldosterone; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D005934:Glucagon; D006854:Hydrocortisone