The proper use of adrenal hormonal drugs in pediatric practice

Abstract

The most specific application of the adrenocortical hormonal drugs is as replacement therapy in adrenocortical insufficiency: Addison's disease and the adrenogenital syndrome. However, the most widespread utility of these substances at present is as pharmacologic agents in a variety of diseases wherein the nonspecific antiphologistic benefits are to be sought. These large doses produce many metabolic effects which are undersirable, only some of which have been eliminated by the several newly synthesized analogues of cortisone. Indiscriminate prescription of adrenocortical hormones in pediatric disease, wherein the diagnosis has not been established is to be decried. But their use under welldefined circumstances has proved of value for the present, although it is hoped that the elucidation of the etiology of disease will eventually permit more specific therapy. The pediatrician should clearly understand the actions and possible complications of treatment and should observe the precautions and measures for dealing with the complications. The most specific application of the adrenocortical hormonal drugs is as replacement therapy in adrenocortical insufficiency: Addison's disease and the adrenogenital syndrome. However, the most widespread utility of these substances at present is as pharmacologic agents in a variety of diseases wherein the nonspecific antiphologistic benefits are to be sought. These large doses produce many metabolic effects which are undersirable, only some of which have been eliminated by the several newly synthesized analogues of cortisone. Indiscriminate prescription of adrenocortical hormones in pediatric disease, wherein the diagnosis has not been established is to be decried. But their use under welldefined circumstances has proved of value for the present, although it is hoped that the elucidation of the etiology of disease will eventually permit more specific therapy. The pediatrician should clearly understand the actions and possible complications of treatment and should observe the precautions and measures for dealing with the complications.