Manchester Clinic Dubai Clinics in Dubai - Adrenal Problems
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Adrenal Problems in Children
These are not common. However the most likely is a condition called congenital adrenal hyperplasia – a condition in which there is a congenital absence of an enzyme (a chemical) which is needed in the manufacture of the final products cortisone and aldosterone the lack of which can have devastating effects. If aldosterone is lacking the babies lose salt in the urine and collapse from circulatory failure in the second week of life.
With cortisone lack, the weakness that goes with it is more insidious. A secondary consequence of this enzyme deficiency is that the pituitary gland in the head gets the message that it is deficient and stimulates the adrenal gland to work harder, but it still cant produce enough cortisone and instead a lot of testosterone is produced resulting for baby girls in masculinsation, so it is difficult to know at birth what sex the child is.
The condition is treatable and consistent with a normal life span.
Like many endocrine problems the diagnosis is easy to establish but getting the doses of hormone replacement right is tricky and these children need careful monitoring.
Adrenal problems occurring later in childhood are uncommon.
If there is too much of the adrenal hormones from overactive adrenal glands sometimes from a tumour of the adrenals or a tumour of the pituitary causing stimulation of the adrenals or just overactive for no demonstrable reason the child will become obese, grow slowly, fatigue easily and be emotionally labile. The sign include a facial plethora (flushed) acne, hirsutism (hairiness), striae (stretch marks) and hypertension (high blood pressure).
The same effect can occur from ingestion of steroids long term.
Underactive adrenal glands are uncommon except for the congenital type described. Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) occurs especially in babies. The symptoms in older children include tiredness, weight loss and increasing skin pigmentation.
As mentioned though, adrenal problems are not common.
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