Hospital Admission Patterns in Children with CAH: Admission Rates and Adrenal Crises Decline with Age

Incidence and Risk Factors for Adrenal Crisis in Pediatric-onset Adrenal Insufficiency: A Prospective Study

CONTEXT

Adrenal crisis (AC) is a life-threatening complication that occurs during follow-up of patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI). No prospective study has thoroughly investigated AC in children with primary and secondary AI.

OBJECTIVE

This work aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors for AC in patients with pediatric-onset AI.

METHODS

This multicenter, prospective cohort study conducted in Japan enrolled patients diagnosed with AI at age ≤15 years. The incidence of AC was calculated as events per person-year (PY), and risk factors for AC were assessed using Poisson regression multivariable analysis.

RESULTS

The study population comprised 349 patients (164 male, 185 female) with a total follow-up of 961 PY. The median age at enrollment was 14.3 years (interquartile range [IQR] 8.5-21.2 years), and the median follow-up was 2.8 years (IQR 2.2-3.3 years). Of these patients, 213 (61%) had primary AI and 136 (39%) had secondary AI. Forty-one AC events occurred in 31 patients during the study period. The calculated incidence of AC was 4.27 per 100 PY (95% CI, 3.15-5.75). Poisson regression analysis identified younger age at enrollment (relative risk [RR] 0.93; 95% CI, 0.89-0.97) and increased number of infections (RR 1.17; 95% CI, 1.07-1.27) as significant risk factors. Female sex (RR 0.99; 95% CI, 0.53-1.86), primary AI (RR 0.65; 95% CI, 0.30-1.41), or equivalent dosage of hydrocortisone per square meter of body area (RR 1.02; 95% CI, 0.96-1.08) was not a significant risk factor.

CONCLUSION

A substantial proportion of patients with pediatric-onset AI experience AC. Younger age and an increased number of infections are independent risk factors for developing AC in these patients.

Late diagnosis of partial 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 deficiency - characterization of a new genetic variant

Summary

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is one of the most common inherited rare endocrine disorders. This case report presents two female siblings with delayed diagnosis of non-classical CAH 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (3βHSD2D/HSD3B2) despite early hospital admission and apparent CAH manifestations such as infections, hirsutism, menstrual disturbances, and PCOS phenotype. Initially, sister 1 was misdiagnosed with PCOS and then 11-hydroxylase deficiency (CYP11B1), based on ultrasound, biochemical findings, and negative genetic testing for 21-hydroxylase deficiency (CYP21A2). Additional diagnostic workup was performed when sister 2also presented with symptoms of androgen excess. Genetic testing for CAH/steroid disorders finally revealed that both siblings were compound heterozygous for two variants in the HSD3B2 gene: a frameshift variant, c.558dup, p.(Thr187Hisfs*17) and a novel missense variant, c.65T>C, p.(Leu22Ser). A Synacthen test showed an insufficient cortisol increase. In vitro studies of the variants in a cell model revealed loss of function for the p.(Thr187Hisfs*17) and partial activity for p.(Leu22Ser) confirming non-classic CAH. Overlapping symptomatology and lack of specialized knowledge on steroid biosynthesis and associated rarest forms of CAH may explain the delayed diagnosis. However, with newer diagnostic methods comprising a less biased approach, very rare forms of non-classical CAH may no longer be overlooked in the future.

Learning points

Non-classic 3βHSD2 is likely underdiagnosed. Late diagnosis of mild non-classic 3βHSD2 does occur and one should be aware of this diagnosis. Early diagnosis of NCCAH may prevent many consequences such as severe hirsutism, prolonged menstrual irregularities, infertility, or even adrenal crisis with severe infections. Comprehensive steroid profiling and genetic testing should be used earlier, especially when in doubt about a diagnosis.

Electrolyte abnormalities and stress dosing predict illness-related hospitalizations among infants and toddlers with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

OBJECTIVE

Infants and toddlers with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are at high risk for morbidity/mortality arising from life-threatening adrenal crisis. Management of acute illnesses in CAH requires an understanding of factors leading to emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations in the first few years of life. We, therefore, examined adrenal crisis at prehospital and ED stages of illness in young children with CAH as they related to medical outcomes.

PATIENTS AND DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of 39 children with CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (0-4 years of age) and 27 age-matched controls.

MEASUREMENTS

ED visit, acute illness symptoms (fever, vomiting, diarrhoea) and other characteristics (hospitalizations, administration of stress-dose hydrocortisone, electrolyte abnormalities).

RESULTS

CAH infants and toddlers had significantly higher rates of ED visits (0.50 [0.25-0.88] per person-year) than controls (0 [0-0] per person-year; p < .001). Moreover, CAH children under 6 months old had significantly higher rates of ED visits compared with older ages. Only 50% (51/102) of illness-related ED visits in CAH children were preceded by the administration of either oral (46/51) or intramuscular (11/51) stress dosing by parents. A total of 10.8% of ED visits resulted in hospital admission. Controlling for age and 17-hydroxyprogesterone at diagnosis, electrolyte abnormalities and administration of parenteral hydrocortisone in the ED significantly predicted hospital admission. Receiving a hydrocortisone injection before the ED was a significant predictor of having electrolyte abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Infants and toddlers with classical CAH are at high risk for acute illness and hospitalizations and often do not receive adequate stress dosing before the ED.

Adrenal crises in adolescents and young adults

PURPOSE

Review the literature concerning adrenal insufficiency (AI) and adrenal crisis (AC) in adolescents and young adults.

METHODS

Searches of PubMed identifying relevant reports up to March 2022.

RESULTS

AI is rare disorder that requires lifelong glucocorticoid replacement therapy and is associated with substantial morbidity and occasional mortality among adolescents and young adults. Aetiologies in this age group are more commonly congenital, with acquired causes, resulting from tumours in the hypothalamic-pituitary area and autoimmune adrenalitis among others, increasing with age. All patients with AI are at risk of AC, which have an estimated incidence of 6 to 8 ACs/100 patient years. Prevention of ACs includes use of educational interventions to achieve competency in dose escalation and parenteral glucocorticoid administration during times of physiological stress, such as an intercurrent infection. While the incidence of AI/AC in young children and adults has been documented, there are few studies focussed on the AC occurrence in adolescents and young adults with AI. This is despite the range of developmental, psychosocial, and structural changes that can interfere with chronic disease management during this important period of growth and development.

CONCLUSION

In this review, we examine the current state of knowledge of AC epidemiology in emerging adults; examine the causes of ACs in this age group; and suggest areas for further investigation that are aimed at reducing the incidence and health impact of ACs in these patients.

Management of Acute Adrenal Insufficiency-Related Adverse Events in Children with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Results of an International Survey of Specialist Centres

INTRODUCTION

There is wide variation in reported rates of acute adrenal insufficiency (AI)-related adverse events (sick day episodes and adrenal crises) between centres. This study aimed to evaluate the level of consensus on criteria considered essential for defining and managing these events in children with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.

METHODS

Active users of the International Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and International Disorders of Sex Development (I-CAH/I-DSD) Registries (n = 66), non-active users of I-CAH/I-DSD (n = 35), and the EuRRECa e-Reporting Registry (n = 10) were approached to complete an online survey.

RESULTS

Fifty-six centres from 27 countries responded to the survey; the response rates for the three groups were 42 (65%), 11 (31%), and 3 (30%), respectively. Steroid management plans, one to one patient education, and contact details of health care staff were provided by over 90% of centres in high-income countries. All 56 centres advised glucocorticoid stress dosing in the event of fever. Less common indications for sick day dosing included vaccination and mild afebrile intercurrent illness, recommended by 17 (30%) and 9 (16%) centres, respectively. The most frequently reported stress dosing regimens were tripling the total daily dose of hydrocortisone and administering 3 times daily and doubling or tripling the largest daily hydrocortisone dose depending on the nature of the trigger and administering 3 times daily, recommended by 24 (43%) and 21 (38%) centres, respectively. Vomiting was the most common indication for intramuscular hydrocortisone injection, reported by 34 (61%) centres. Over 50% of respondents indicated that essential clinical criteria for adrenal crisis should include fatigue and nausea or vomiting and over 60% indicated that hypotension, hyponatraemia, hyperkalaemia, and clinical improvement following parenteral glucocorticoids were essential criteria. In the event of an adrenal crisis, 47 (84%) reported that the majority of patients were admitted to hospital. For the management of an adrenal crisis, a bolus parenteral injection of hydrocortisone was the most frequently administered medication, reported by 50 (89%) centres.

CONCLUSION

Although there is variation in the definition and management of AI-related adverse events in children amongst centres, there is also a good level of consensus on specific aspects that can lead to greater benchmarking of care.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia-Current Insights in Pathophysiology, Diagnostics, and Management

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of autosomal recessive disorders affecting cortisol biosynthesis. Reduced activity of an enzyme required for cortisol production leads to chronic overstimulation of the adrenal cortex and accumulation of precursors proximal to the blocked enzymatic step. The most common form of CAH is caused by steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency due to mutations in CYP21A2. Since the last publication summarizing CAH in Endocrine Reviews in 2000, there have been numerous new developments. These include more detailed understanding of steroidogenic pathways, refinements in neonatal screening, improved diagnostic measurements utilizing chromatography and mass spectrometry coupled with steroid profiling, and improved genotyping methods. Clinical trials of alternative medications and modes of delivery have been recently completed or are under way. Genetic and cell-based treatments are being explored. A large body of data concerning long-term outcomes in patients affected by CAH, including psychosexual well-being, has been enhanced by the establishment of disease registries. This review provides the reader with current insights in CAH with special attention to these new developments.

Low Adrenomedullary Function Predicts Acute Illness in Infants With Classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

CONTEXT

Youth with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) exhibit abnormal adrenomedullary function with decreased epinephrine levels noted in newborns and young infants. Little is known about how this relates to morbidity during the first year of life.

OBJECTIVE

This work aimed to study plasma epinephrine levels in infants with classical CAH and examine the clinical significance of epinephrine deficiency in the first year of life.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study comprised participants recruited from a pediatric tertiary care center: 36 infants with classical CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency and 27 age-matched unaffected controls with congenital hypothyroidism. Main outcome measures included plasma epinephrine levels (N = 27), CYP21A2 genotype (N = 15), and incidence of acute illnesses from birth to age 1 year (N = 28).

RESULTS

Epinephrine levels in CAH infants independently predicted illness incidence in the first year of life (β = -0.018, R = -0.45, P = .02) and were negatively correlated with 17-hydroxyprogesterone at diagnosis (R = -0.51, P = .007). Infants with salt-wasting CAH exhibited lower epinephrine levels as newborns than simple-virilizing infants (P = .02). CAH patients had lower epinephrine as newborns than did controls (P = .007) and showed decreases in epinephrine from birth to age 1 year (P = .04). Null genotype was associated with lower newborn epinephrine and more illness in the first year of life, compared to less severe mutation categories.

CONCLUSION

Lower epinephrine levels are associated with increased risk of illness among CAH infants. While not currently part of clinical standard of care, measuring epinephrine levels and assessing genotype may help predict acute illness in the first year of life.

Acute illness in children with secondary adrenal insufficiency

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND

Secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) is a rare condition in childhood which can be associated with high levels of morbidity in some patients. The causes of increased levels of illness are not well defined and warrant further investigation.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of patients with SAI was constructed by examining records of all attendances for acute illness by SAI patients at the emergency department of the two specialist paediatric hospitals in Sydney, Australia between 2004 and 2016. Demographic, clinical, and physiological characteristics together with pre-hospital illness management strategies were assessed.

RESULTS

There were 168 presentations for an acute illness by 47 children with SAI. Comorbid diabetes insipidus (DI) was present in 46.8% (n = 22), 77.3% (n = 17) of whom were male (P < .05). Patients with comorbid DI were more likely to be admitted (86.7%, n = 65 vs 60.2%, n = 56 for non-DI, P < .01); had a longer hospital stay (6.5 (8.7) vs 2.5 (2.6) days, P < .001); and higher rates of IV HC administration (56.0%, n = 42 vs 35.5%, n = 33), P < .01). The medically-diagnosed adrenal crisis (AC) rate was 3.68 ACs/100PY. Stress dose use was reported by fewer DI patients (58.7%, n = 44) than non-DI patients (78.5%, n = 73, P < .01). Previous attendance at hospital was positively associated with stress dose use (OR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.00, 1.16).

CONCLUSION

Secondary adrenal insufficiency can cause significant morbidity in children. Comorbid DI is associated with higher levels of hospitalisation, longer hospital stays and lower levels of pre-emergent stress dose use. Educational interventions in this subgroup of SAI patients may reduce the burden of morbidity.

Use of medical identification jewellery in children and young adults with adrenal insufficiency in Australia

PURPOSE

Patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) are at risk of life-threatening illness. Medical jewellery is recommended for emergencies, but its uptake is unknown. This study assessed the use of medical jewellery among Australian AI patients aged 25 years and under.

METHODS

Data on the age, sex, region, and diagnosis of subscribers to the largest medical jewellery provider in Australia were analysed. Subscription rates were calculated using 2017 Australian population data.

RESULTS

There were 666 patients aged 25 years and under in the database but only 358 (53.8%) had an active (up to date) subscription, corresponding to a subscription rate of 43.67/million or approximately 14.6% of the estimated patient population. The majority (n = 238, 66.5%) had primary AI; followed by secondary AI (n = 82, 22.9%); and the remaining patients (n = 38, 10.6%) could not be classified. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) was the most frequent diagnosis (n = 153, 42.7%), corresponding to a subscription rate of 18.67/ million or 28.9% of the estimated number of patients with CAH. The mean age of subscribers was 15.9 (SD = 5.8) years. Only 18 (5%) patients were aged under 5 years. More females (n = 199, 55.9%) than males were active subscribers and subscription rates differed significantly by geographic area. Inactive (lapsed) subscriptions increased with age and were highest in the 20-25 year age group.

CONCLUSION

Subscription rates were lower than recommended; increased with age; and were more common in females. Older age was associated with higher levels of lapsed subscriptions. Factors leading to low use and discontinuation in young adults should be addressed.

Adrenal insufficiency

Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is a condition characterized by an absolute or relative deficiency of adrenal cortisol production. Primary AI (PAI) is rare and is caused by direct adrenal failure. Secondary AI (SAI) is more frequent and is caused by diseases affecting the pituitary, whereas in tertiary AI (TAI), the hypothalamus is affected. The most prevalent form is TAI owing to exogenous glucocorticoid use. Symptoms of AI are non-specific, often overlooked or misdiagnosed, and are related to the lack of cortisol, adrenal androgen precursors and aldosterone (especially in PAI). Diagnosis is based on measurement of the adrenal corticosteroid hormones, their regulatory peptide hormones and stimulation tests. The goal of therapy is to establish a hormone replacement regimen that closely mimics the physiological diurnal cortisol secretion pattern, tailored to the patient's daily needs. This Primer provides insights into the epidemiology, mechanisms and management of AI during pregnancy as well as challenges of long-term management. In addition, the importance of identifying life-threatening adrenal emergencies (acute AI and adrenal crisis) is highlighted and strategies for prevention, which include patient education, glucocorticoid emergency cards and injection kits, are described.

Real-World Estimates of Adrenal Insufficiency-Related Adverse Events in Children With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

BACKGROUND

Although congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is known to be associated with adrenal crises (AC), its association with patient- or clinician-reported sick day episodes (SDE) is less clear.

METHODS

Data on children with classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency CAH from 34 centers in 18 countries, of which 7 were Low or Middle Income Countries (LMIC) and 11 were High Income (HIC), were collected from the International CAH Registry and analyzed to examine the clinical factors associated with SDE and AC.

RESULTS

A total of 518 children-with a median of 11 children (range 1, 53) per center-had 5388 visits evaluated over a total of 2300 patient-years. The median number of AC and SDE per patient-year per center was 0 (0, 3) and 0.4 (0.0, 13.3), respectively. Of the 1544 SDE, an AC was reported in 62 (4%), with no fatalities. Infectious illness was the most frequent precipitating event, reported in 1105 (72%) and 29 (47%) of SDE and AC, respectively. On comparing cases from LMIC and HIC, the median SDE per patient-year was 0.75 (0, 13.3) vs 0.11 (0, 12.0) (P < 0.001), respectively, and the median AC per patient-year was 0 (0, 2.2) vs 0 (0, 3.0) (P = 0.43), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The real-world data that are collected within the I-CAH Registry show wide variability in the reported occurrence of adrenal insufficiency-related adverse events. As these data become increasingly used as a clinical benchmark in CAH care, there is a need for further research to improve and standardize the definition of SDE.

Adrenal crises in children with adrenal insufficiency: epidemiology and risk factors

The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiology and risk factors of adrenal crises (AC) in children with adrenal insufficiency (AI). Children diagnosed with AI between 1990 and 2017 at four Israeli pediatric endocrinology units were studied. Demographic and clinical data were retrieved retrospectively from their files. The study population consisted of 120 children (73 boys, 47 girls) and comprised 904 patient years. Median age at diagnosis was 0.3 years (0-17.5). Thirty-one AC events in 26 children occurred during the study period, accounting for a frequency of 3.4 crises/100 patient years. Fifty-two percent of AC events occurred at presentation. The significant risk factors for developing AC were the following: younger age at diagnosis (P = 0.003), primary AI vs. secondary AI (P = 0.016), specific diagnosis of autoimmune AI, adrenal hypoplasia congenita and salt wasting congenital adrenal hyperplasia (P < 0.001), mineralocorticoid treatment (P < 0.001), and recurrent hospital admissions (P > 0.001). After applying a stepwise logistic regression model, only the group of diagnoses, including salt wasting CAH, AHC, and Addison's disease, remained significant predictor of AC (OR 17.5, 95% CI 4.7-64.9, P < 0.001). There was no AC-associated mortality during the study period.Conclusions: Since significant percent of AC events occurred at presentation, measures to increase the awareness to signs and symptoms of AI among primary care physicians should be taken. Efforts to prevent AC should be focused on younger patients, especially those with primary AI. What Is Known: • Diagnosis and long-term management of pediatric patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) remain a challenge. • Adrenal crises (AC) pose life-threatening emergencies in affected youngsters. Studies on the rate and risk factors of AC in children with AI are scarce, and they were done mainly on children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). What Is New: • The rate of AC was relatively low and there was no AC-associated mortality during the study period. • Children with primary AI were at higher risk for AC than children with secondary AI. Specifically, children with salt wasting CAH, adrenal hypoplasia congenita, and Addison's disease at the highest risk.

Variations in the management of acute illness in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: An audit of three paediatric hospitals

OBJECTIVE

Episodes of acute adrenal insufficiency (AI)/adrenal crises (AC) are a serious consequence of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). This study aimed to assess morbidity from acute illness in CAH and identify factors associated with use of IV hydrocortisone, admission and diagnosis of an AC.

METHOD

An audit of acute illness presentations among children with CAH to paediatric hospitals in New South Wales, Australia, between 2000 and 2015.

RESULTS

There were 321 acute presentations among 75 children with CAH. Two-thirds (66.7%, n = 214) of these resulted in admission and 49.2% (n = 158) of the patients received intravenous (IV) hydrocortisone. An AC was diagnosed in (9.0%). Prior to presentation, 64.2% (n = 206) had used oral stress dosing and 22.1% (n = 71) had been given intramuscular (IM) hydrocortisone. Vomiting was recorded in 61.1% (n = 196), 32.7% (n = 64) of whom had used IM hydrocortisone. Admission, AC diagnosis and use of stress dosing varied significantly between hospitals. IM use varied from 7.0% in one metropolitan hospital to 45.8% in the regional hospital. Children aged up to 12 months had the lowest levels of stress dosing and IV hydrocortisone administration. Higher numbers of prior hospital attendances for acute illness were associated with increased use of IM hydrocortisone.

CONCLUSION

Prehospital and in-hospital management of children with CAH can vary between health services. Children under 12 months have lower levels of stress dosing prior to hospital than other age groups. Experience with acute episodes improves self-management of CAH in the context of acute illness in educated patient populations.

Adrenal Crises in Children: Perspectives and Research Directions

Adrenal crises (AC) are life-threatening physiological disturbances that occur at a rate of 5-10/100 patient years in patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI). Despite their seriousness, there is a paucity of information on the epidemiology of AC events in the paediatric population specifically, as most investigations have focused on AI and ACs in adults. Improved surveillance of AC-related morbidity and mortality should improve the delineation of AC risk overall and among different subgroups of paediatric patients with AI. Valid incidence measures are essential for this purpose and also for the evaluation of interventions aimed at reducing adverse health outcomes from ACs. However, the absence of an agreed AC definition limits the potential benefit of research and surveillance in this area. While approaches to the treatment and prevention of ACs have much in common across the lifespan, there are important differences between children and adults with regards to the physiological, psychological, and social milieu in which these events occur. Education is considered to be an essential element of AC prevention but studies have shown that ACs occur even among well-educated patients, suggesting that new strategies may be needed. In this review, we examine the current knowledge regarding AC events in children with AI; assess the existing definitions of an AC and offer a new definition for use in research and the clinic; and suggest areas for further investigation that are aimed at reducing the incidence and health impact of ACs in the paediatric age group.

Hospitalisation in Children with Adrenal Insufficiency and Hypopituitarism: Is There a Differential Burden between Boys and Girls and between Age Groups?

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To determine the burden of hospitalisation in children with adrenal insufficiency (AI)/hypopituitarism in Australia.

METHODS

A retrospective study of Australian hospitalisation data. All admissions between 2001 and 2014 for patients aged 0-19 years with a principal diagnosis of AI/hypopituitarism were included. Denominator populations were extracted from national statistics datasets.

RESULTS

There were 3,779 admissions for treatment of AI/hypopituitarism in patients aged 0-19 years, corresponding to an average admission rate of 48.7 admissions/million/year. There were 470 (12.4%) admissions for an adrenal crisis (AC). Overall, admission for AI/hypopituitarism was comparable between the sexes. Admission rates for all AI, hypopituitarism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and "other and unspecified causes" of AI were highest among infants and decreased with age. Admissions for primary AI increased with age in both sexes. Males had significantly higher rates of admission for hypopituitarism. AC rates differed by both sex and age group.

CONCLUSION

This nationwide study of the epidemiology of hospital admissions for a principal diagnosis of AI/hypopituitarism shows that admissions generally decreased with age; males had higher rates of admission for hypopituitarism; females had higher rates of admission for CAH and "other and unspecified causes" of AI; and AC incidence varied by age and sex. Increased awareness of AI and AC prevention strategies may reduce some of these admissions.

Longitudinal Assessment of Illnesses, Stress Dosing, and Illness Sequelae in Patients With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

CONTEXT

Patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are at risk for life-threatening adrenal crises. Management of illness episodes aims to prevent adrenal crises.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated rates of illnesses and associated factors in patients with CAH followed prospectively and receiving repeated glucocorticoid stress dosing education.

METHODS

Longitudinal analysis of 156 patients with CAH followed at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center over 23 years was performed. The rates of illnesses and stress-dose days, emergency room (ER) visits, hospitalizations, and adrenal crises were analyzed in relation to phenotype, age, sex, treatment, and hormonal evaluations.

RESULTS

A total of 2298 visits were evaluated. Patients were followed for 9.3 ± 6.0 years. During childhood, there were more illness episodes and stress dosing than adulthood (P < 0.001); however, more ER visits and hospitalizations occurred during adulthood (P ≤ 0.03). The most robust predictors of stress dosing were young age, low hydrocortisone and high fludrocortisone dose during childhood, and female sex during adulthood. Gastrointestinal and upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) were the two most common precipitating events for adrenal crises and hospitalizations across all ages. Adrenal crisis with probable hypoglycemia occurred in 11 pediatric patients (ages 1.1 to 11.3 years). Undetectable epinephrine was associated with ER visits during childhood (P = 0.03) and illness episodes during adulthood (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated stress-related glucocorticoid dosing teaching is essential, but revised age-appropriate guidelines for the management of infectious illnesses are needed for patients with adrenal insufficiency that aim to reduce adrenal crises and prevent hypoglycemia, particularly in children.

Bilateral Adrenalectomy in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

CONTEXT

Management of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) involves suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis using supraphysiological doses of exogenous glucocorticoids. This can pose a challenge, with Cushing syndrome a frequent complication of adequate suppression. Bilateral adrenalectomy, with subsequent replacement of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids at physiological doses, has been proposed as an alternative therapeutic strategy.

OBJECTIVE

To review the outcomes after bilateral adrenalectomy for CAH.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science, identifying relevant reports published up to 10 January 2018.

STUDY SELECTION

Case reports or case series were included if they reported individual patient data from patients with CAH who had undergone bilateral adrenalectomy.

DATA EXTRACTION

Information regarding the following was extracted: first author, country, sex, age at adrenalectomy, year of adrenalectomy, diagnosis, molecular abnormality, pre- and postoperative biochemistry, pre- and postoperative medications, pre- and postoperative body mass index, indication for adrenalectomy, surgical technique, gross and microscopic adrenal characteristics, follow-up duration, and short- and long-term postoperative outcomes.

DATA SYNTHESIS

We identified 48 cases of bilateral adrenalectomy for CAH, with patients aged from 4 months to 56 years at surgery. The most common indication for surgery was the inability to control hyperandrogenism/virilization and/or Cushing syndrome (n = 30; 62%). Most patients (n = 34; 71%) reported symptomatic improvement postoperatively, with some cases of short-term (n = 5; 10%) and long-term (n = 13; 27%) adverse outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Bilateral adrenalectomy for CAH appears to be a reasonable therapeutic option for carefully selected patients who have had unsatisfactory outcomes with conventional medical management.

Parental management of adrenal crisis in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

PURPOSE

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) requires parents to inject their child with hydrocortisone intramuscularly during times of illness and adrenal crisis. The purpose of this study was to describe circumstances surrounding adrenal crisis events in children with CAH; to explore parents' perceptions of the consequences of having a child with a life-threatening condition; and to examine a relationship between parents' perceived management ability and the impact CAH has on the family.

METHODS

In Phase 1 of this mixed-methods, cross-sectional study, 77 parents were asked to complete questionnaires comprising measures of family life in the context of childhood illness. Descriptive statistics were computed with four separate analyses using linear mixed models allowing for correlation between responses from parents of the same family and for the variance to be different for fathers and mothers. The following relationships were examined: (1) parental management ability and type of provider instruction on how to manage adrenal crises; (2) parental management ability and child age; (3) the perceived impact of the condition on the family and management ability; and (4) the age of the child and number of adrenal crisis events. In Phase 2, 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted to elicit detailed descriptions of parents' experiences in managing crises.

RESULTS

There was a significant, positive relationship between detailed provider instruction to parents on adrenal crisis management and perceived management ability (p = .02), additionally the stronger the perceived management ability, the less impact CAH had on the family (p < .001). From birth to age 5, parents reported more frequent crisis events and less perceived ability to manage the condition when compared with parents of older children (p = .009). The threat of an adrenal crisis event is a pervasive concern for parents, especially when they are not being properly prepared by providers.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Provider support is needed for these parents throughout childhood, but especially in the first 5 years of life when parents are adjusting to having a child with a life-threatening condition. Identifying gaps in parent education by healthcare providers is necessary to promote positive family outcomes.

Infants With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Are at Risk for Hypercalcemia, Hypercalciuria, and Nephrocalcinosis

Context:

Hypercalcemia is reported as a rare finding in adrenal insufficiency, but is not well described in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients with CAH diagnosed before the age of 2 years who had at least one recorded serum calcium measurement. Data from birth to 6 years of age were reviewed.

Results:

Of the 40 patients who met inclusion criteria, 33 (82.5%) had at least one elevated calcium concentration and 21 (53%) had two or more elevated calcium concentrations. Of the 126 elevated serum calcium concentrations, the median was 10.9 mg/dL (range, 10.6 to 14.2 mg/dL). Median age at the last elevated calcium measurement was 5 months (range, 0.3 to 46 months). Serum calcium concentration was inversely related to age (r = −0.124; P = 0.004). Overall, calcium level positively correlated with 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) concentration (r = 0.170; P = 0.003), and this remained significant after adjusting for age (P < 0.05). However, patients had hypercalcemia with both high and low 17OHP concentrations. Serum calcium concentration also was positively related to glucocorticoid (r = 0.196; P = 0.012) and fludrocortisone (r = 0.229; P = 0.003) doses, and remained significant after age adjustment. Only seven patients were evaluated for hypercalciuria. Of these, six had at least one period of documented hypercalciuria. Three patients had nephrocalcinosis on renal ultrasound.

Conclusion:

Children with CAH are at risk for developing hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, and nephrocalcinosis. Further studies are needed to determine the broader prevalence and the etiology of hypercalcemia in CAH.

Adrenal crises: perspectives and research directions

Adrenal crises are life-threatening complications of adrenal insufficiency. These events have an estimated incidence of between 5 and 10  adrenal crises/100 patient years and are responsible for some of the increased morbidity and excess mortality experienced by patients with adrenal insufficiency. Treatment involves urgent administration of IV/IM hydrocortisone and IV fluids. Patient education regarding preventive measures, such as increasing the dose of replacement therapy ("stress dosing") when sick, using parenteral hydrocortisone as necessary and accessing medical assistance promptly, is still considered the best approach to averting the onset of an adrenal crisis at times of physiological stress, most commonly an infection. However, recent evidence has demonstrated that patient education does not prevent many adrenal crisis events and the reasons for this are not fully understood. Furthermore, there is no widely accepted definition of an adrenal crisis. Without a validated adrenal crisis definition it is difficult to interpret variations in the incidence of adrenal crises and determine the effectiveness of preventive measures. This article aims to review the clinical aspects of adrenal crisis events, to explore the epidemiology, and to offer a definition of an adrenal crisis and to offer a perspective on future directions for research into adrenal crisis prevention.

Clinical perspectives in congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 11β-hydroxylase deficiency

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder. It is caused by reduced or absent activity of 11β-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) enzyme and the resultant defects in adrenal steroidogenesis. The most common clinical features of 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency are ambiguous genitalia, accelerated skeletal maturation and resultant short stature, peripheral precocious puberty and hyporeninemic hypokalemic hypertension. The biochemical diagnosis is based on raised serum 11-deoxycortisol and 11-deoxycorticosterone levels together with increased adrenal androgens. More than 100 mutations in CYP11B1 gene have been reported to date. The level of in-vivo activity of CYP11B1 relates to the degree of severity of 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency. Clinical management of 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency can pose a challenge to maintain adequate glucocorticoid dosing to suppress adrenal androgen excess while avoiding glucocorticoid-induced side effects. The long-term outcomes of clinical and surgical management are not well studied. This review article aims to collate the current available data about 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency and its management.