title: A low dose adrenocorticotropin test (1 microg ACTH) for the evaluation of adrenal function in children with beta-thalassemia receiving hypertransfusion with suboptimal iron-chelating therapy.
abstract: A cross-sectional study of adrenal function was carried out in 48 patients with beta-thalassemia who were receiving hypertransfusion with suboptimal desferoxamine. A low dose adrenocorticotropic hormone (1 microg ACTH) stimulation test was performed using the cut-off criteria of peak cortisol for adrenal sufficiency >18 microg/dl. Adrenal impairment was diagnosed in 22 patients, giving a prevalence of 45.8%. The peak cortisol concentrations in normal and impaired adrenal function groups were 26.22 +/- 2.84 and 14.03 +/- 3.12 microg/dl, respectively, and the mean basal morning cortisol was 8.93 +/- 2.97 and 6.52 +/- 2.45 microg/dl, respectively. There was no significant difference in any clinical characteristic between the patients with impaired adrenal function and those with normal adrenal function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand. somchit.j@psu.ac.th
authors.forename: Somchit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jaruratanasirikul
authors.forename: Santi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanchotikul
authors.forename: Malai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wongcharnchailert
authors.forename: Vichai
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Laosombat
authors.forename: Pasuree
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sangsupavanich
authors.forename: Kalaya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Leetanaporn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D017262:Siderophores / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017262:Siderophores; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003676:Deferoxamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone