Abstract
We have previously demonstrated a significantly increased rate of growth in hypopituitary children treated chronically with CPH and growth hormone (GH) compared to those treated with GH alone. To determine the effect of chronic CPH in adrenocortical function, the cortisol (F) response to insulin hypoglycemia was determined in 10 hypopituitary children (8 idiopathic, 2 organic) treated for at least 4 months with GH and CPH (12-16 mg/day). All had previously normal oral metyrapone tests. While receiving CPH, five of the ten patients had a normal peak F response (> 15 μg/dl) to insulin hypoglycemia while five of the ten had subnormal peak F concentrations (6.4 ± 2.7 μg/dl). All patients were retested two or more months after cessation of CPH therapy. The five patients with a normal peak F response during CPH therapy did not have an increased peak response after cessation of CPH. Four of the 5 patients with an abnormal response subsequently had a normal peak F response significantly greater than that while receiving CPH (16.3 ± 1.3 μg/dl; p < .01). The patient who had persistent subnormal peak F response to hypoglycemia had received radiation therapy for craniopharyngioma. None of the ten patients experienced any symptoms of glucocorticoid insufficiency. We conclude that in some cases, long-term administration of CPH to hypopituitary children may be associated with decreased F response to insulin hypoglycemia.
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call