Pediatric Endocrinology Adrenal Problems
Adrenal Glands
The adrenal gland is one of two glands located above each kidney. They consist of the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. The Cortex secretes several steroid hormones including cortisol and aldosterone. The medulla secretes a substance called epinephrine.
These hormones control many important bodily functions. They:
- Maintain pregnancy
- Operate the stress "fight or flight" response
- Regulate the salt and water balance
- Control sexual maturation during childhood and puberty
The adrenal glands also serve as a source of estrogen and testosterone.
Adrenal Insufficiency
Dysfunctional adrenal glands are characterized by adrenal insufficiencies—a deficient availability of steroids.
While they can be tough to diagnose, if adrenal gland disorders get left untreated, they can be life threatening.
Adrenal Gland Disorders
When the adrenal glands function improperly, the results can be the following two adrenal gland disorders:
- Cushing's Syndrome- The overactive adrenal glands produce too much cortisol. This can be caused by adrenal tumors. Children can also be born with adrenal hyperplasia. This can lead to Cushing's Syndrome.
Some of the symptoms in children who suffer from this include weight gain, growth retardation, acne, bruising, severe fatigue and upper body obesity.
- Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia- Here, the adrenal gland doesn’t make enough cortisol. In children, this can impact growth and normal genital development.
Some symptoms in children can be early signs of puberty and acne.
Adrenal Gland Disorder Treatment
If the child gets an overactive adrenal glands diagnosis, treatment will be determined by the child's physician. Factors will include the age of the child, the extent of the disease, the child's tolerance for medications or procedures and the future prognosis for the disease.
Overactive adrenal gland treatment could mean surgery—the removal of growths on one or the other or both of the adrenal glands. The doctor may also prescribe certain medications that block excessive production of certain hormones.
If it's Cushing's Syndrome, treatments many include surgery, radiation, oral medication or a combination of all of these treatments.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia cannot be cured. However, it can be treated and controlled. If a child has this, medications can be taken to replace the hormones not being produced. These medicines can be taken daily or only when the child feels ill.
Since adrenal disorder symptoms can be like symptoms for other sickness or diseases, it's important to get a thorough, probing diagnosis.