Pituitary-adrenal Function in Asthmatic Children

Abstract

The functional status of adrenal cortex and the pituitary gland in asthmatic children who had received or had never received adrenal steroids, was assessed by the indirect determination of blood cortisol using 3H-prednisolone resin uptake. No apparent abnormalities were noted in asthmatic children who had never received adrenal steroids. During periods of asthmatic attacks, the blood cortisol levels showed an increase over their corresponding base line value, but a normal pattern of diurnal variation was maintained. The patients were receiving prednisolone in total dose from 60 to 4645 mg and in average monthly dose within about 150 mg, showed normal blood cortisol levels and normal response to ACTH. Only three patients who had received daily steroids, they had low blood cortisol levels, no diurnal variations and no response to ACTH. According to the administered preparations, they showed different recovery of pituitary adrenal function. Adrenocortical function was monthly assessed in four patients who receiving frequently corticosteroid therapy. Adrenocortical function was not so depressed in them by intermittent use of adrenal steroids.