Some special problems in the use of acth and cortisone therapy in children: A report of three cases

Abstract

Summary 1. Three cases are reported which illustrate some noteworthy responses encountered during the use of ACTH and cortisone in children. 2. A case of nephritis with edema demonstrated the tendency to intravascular clotting while under treatment with cortisone. Emphasis should be placed on this case because of its fatal outcome. 3. In a case of dermatomyositis some symptomatic relief was obtained with the use of ACTH and cortisone, but therapy was hindered by the development of hyperlipemia during this treatment. The development of this complication is thought to be related to some peculiarity of the metabolism of the disease under treatment. ACTH and cortisone did not stop the characteristic progress of this disease. 4. Prolonged dosage with ACTH in a child caused a temporary and benign impairment of glucose tolerance. 5. Some implications of the reported side effects from the use of ACTH and cortisone in children are discussed.