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Growth impairment due to transient hypercortisolism.
Acta Endocrinologica. Supplementum
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Transient hypercortisolism can cause growth failure in children as the sole symptom. Early diagnosis using integrated cortisol levels and potential growth hormone therapy can improve growth rates.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Cushing's syndrome typically presents with distinct physical features.
- Growth failure is an uncommon but recognized presentation of Cushing's syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate transient hypercortisolism as a cause of isolated growth failure in children.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of integrated cortisol levels (IC-F) in these cases.
Main Methods:
- Studied 6 children with poor growth as the only abnormality.
- Measured integrated cortisol levels (IC-F) and compared them to healthy controls and Cushing's syndrome patients.
- Assessed growth rates before and after human growth hormone therapy in some patients.
Main Results:
- Children with isolated growth failure showed elevated IC-F, overlapping with Cushing's syndrome ranges.
- Human growth hormone therapy improved growth rates in treated children.
- Follow-up revealed normalization of IC-F and growth rates in some patients, with no other Cushing's stigmata.
Conclusions:
- Transient hypercortisolism, identified by IC-F, can manifest solely as growth failure in children.
- Growth hormone therapy may benefit children experiencing growth failure due to transient hypercortisolism.