All issues > Volume 50(3); 2007

Review Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2007;50(3):236-240. Published online March 15, 2007.

Evaluation of function and disorders of the adrenal gland in neonates

Il Tae IT Hwang¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Majority of sick full term newborns have adequate adrenal cortical function in response to stress. Acutely ill neonates with a basal cortisol level less than 15 g/dL (414 nmol/L) suggest adrenal insufficiency and require function testing of adrenal function. In premature infant, immaturity of hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis (HPA axis), may limit the ability to increase cortisol production in response to stress. The response to low dose ACTH and CRH appears to be useful as an additional test of adrenal function. CRH stimulation has been used increasingly in neonates. The ACTH and CRH stimulated cortisol response of more than 17 g/dL (469 nmol/L) indicates a normal response.

Keywords :Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis , Adrenal insufficiency , Neonates