[Cushing's syndrome in children].
In two girls, aged 13 and 16 years, Cushing's syndrome was diagnosed. In addition, the first showed a decrease in linear growth and weight gain; a pituitary adenoma was found, which was surgically excised. The second girl was examined because of a male body-hair pattern and weight increase. She had an adrenal adenoma, visible on MRI, which was excised during laparoscopy. Cushing's syndrome is a rare disease in childhood. A decrease in linear growth and a gain in weight are early recognisable features. Arriving at an aetiological diagnosis may be difficult and is based on the performance and interpretation of endocrinologic function and laboratory tests such as determination of the cortisol level in blood, saliva and urine, a dexamethasone-suppression test, and a corticotropin assay in blood drawn from the cerebral cavernous sinuses.
Bocca
G
G
VU Medisch Centrum, afd. Kinderendocrinologie, Amsterdam. g.bocca@bkk.umcg.nl
Voorhoeve
P G
PG
de Delemarre-van Wall
H A
HA
D049913:ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D000236:Adenoma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain
D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone