[The clinical value of the cortisol secretion rate determination in paediatric endocrinology (author's transl)]

The cortisol secretion rate was determined in 18 children according to a modified and simplified method. In 7 cases the determination was repeated after stimulation with synthetic ACTH. 12 of these children suffered from diseases which may affect glucocorticoidsteroid production and the remaining 6 children served as normal controls. In some cases the plasma 11-hydrocorticoid level and urinary excretion of 17-ketogenic steroids were additionally determined. Differences in adrenal function were noted in 2 patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (one of the salt-losing type, the other nonsalt-losing type) and 5 patients with adrenal insufficiency. A normal cortisol secretion rate was found in 3 children with diverse disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism, as well as in a child with subtotal adrenalectomy. The clinical value of the determination of the cortisol secretion rate is discussed and was found to be a more reliable indicator of glucocorticoid activity than other parameters.