We examined adrenocortical function in ten children with severe atopic dermatitis who were treated with topical corticosteroid preparations for an average of 4 years and 11 months.
The ACTH stimulation test was performed with an intravenous drip of ACTH (0.003mg/kg in one hour). Observation was carried out 2 hours later. A rising incline index in cortisol or 11-OHCS per hour was used.
In children with atopic dermatitis, the rising incline index was significantly smaller than in control patients who did not receive prolonged topical corticosteroid therapy (p<0.01). No differences in basal cortisol or 11-OHCS levels were noted. For 4 patients, their heights were less than -2 SD.
The results suggest that topical corticosteroid therapy for atopic dermatitis may cause adrenal suppression and also stunted growth and a permanent short stature. The mode of topical therapy shoud be changed to alternating or daily administration in the morning in patients with insufficient responsiveness to ACTH stimulation.

View full abstract

The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability (F) of thephylline from a new sustained-release granule formulation (Theodur G) and from a standard sustained-release tablet formulation (Theodur) in single oral dose were studied in 6 pediatric patients.
The new formulation showed a mean maximal plasma concentration per dose per weight (C_max) of 1.17kg/1 (range 0.67 to 1.35kg/1) attained at 6.7 (5-8)hours (T_max) postdose, whereas the standard formulation produced a peak plasma concentration of 1.11 (0.77-1.81)kg/1 at 8.8 (6-12) lours. No significant differences in C_max or T_max were observed between these two sustained-release products. The mean bioavailability for theophylline from Theodur G was 98.8% (65.8-131.6) while the mean F value of Theodur was 88.4% (61.2-132). The mean residence times (MRT) of Theodur G and Theodur were 15.1 (12.5-18.1) and 13.9 (10.6-18.9) hours, respectively. No significant differences in F and MRT were observed between these two products. The mean absorbed fraction-time profile exhibited a faster absorption for Theodur in the first 2 hours and a more prolonged absorption in Theodur G.
These results indicate that the products are equivalent with respect to the extent and rate of bioavailability.

View full abstract

Total IgE and antigen (hen's egg and cow's milk) specific IgG antibodies in the serum of 42 premature infants were measured. IgE values were low at birth, but sigunificantly increased at more than one month of age. At 33 weeks for the corrected gestational age or older, some of the IgE values became more than 1IU/ml. Infants whose specific cow's milk IgG titer were high tended to show high IgE values.
Specific cow's milk IgG titers significantly increased at more than one month of age. Both at more than one month and more than 36 weeks for the corrected gestational and over 90 times cow's milk feedings, some of specific cow's milk IgG titers exceeded 20U. Infants with an allergic family history tended to display high specific cow's milk IgG titers. It is suggested that the capacity to produce specific cow's milk IgG antibody is possibly related with hereditary factors.
Hen's egg IgG titers decreased over time.

View full abstract