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The adrenal glands are next to the kidneys. They produce important hormones (chemical messages) to control how the body works. One of these hormones is called cortisol. Cortisol is the body’s natural steroid and helps:
If a person is unable to make cortisol this is called adrenal insufficiency. Symptoms include feeling feeling weak, tired and achy and sick. If it is left untreated, your child can develop an adrenal crisis which is life-threatening.
To avoid these problems people with adrenal insufficiency will need to take a replacement dose of steroids. This comes either as a tablet, granules in capsules or a liquid.
The most common medication used is hydrocortisone which will need to be taken several times a day, but other forms may be prescribed.
Even if children do not have symptoms of adrenal insufficiency it is still important they take their replacement steroids.
In a person without adrenal insufficiency the body naturally increases cortisol in times of illness or trauma.
In a person with adrenal insufficiency cannot increase their cortisol, and your child will need to take additional steroids when unwell. This is called sick day or stress dosing. Without additional steroids this could lead to an adrenal crisis.
Usually the additional steroid is something to take by the mouth, but in an emergency an injection may need to be given.
You and your child need to know their dose and time of day they need their replacement hydrocortisone. This is usually given 3 or 4 times per day. Sometimes the doses are different during the day, for example they might need a larger dose in the morning.
You and your child need to know their dose and time of day for sick day dosing hydrocortisone. This is a higher dose to keep them safe during illness. This is usually given 4 times per day (every 6 hours).
As your child gets older and grows, their doses of hydrocortisone will increase. This will be discussed with your doctor in clinic.
To be safe, we advise your child wears a steroid medic alert bracelet. We can help you to personalise your order with information about your child’s condition. We recommend The ID Band Company.
Always have a spare supply of hydrocortisone available and in date. You must not run out of medicine.
If you are uncertain about any aspect of your child’s care and treatment, please ask your doctor or specialist nurse. It is important that you understand your child’s condition and why they are taking steroids.
Your child should receive all the usual childhood vaccinations as normal. People with adrenal insufficiency are not considered to be immunosuppressed (low immunity). Please talk to your team if you have any concerns about this.
Great Ormond Street Hospital have developed a free training app for giving an emergency injection of hydrocortisone. The app is a real time video showing the technique. There is also space to record your child’s doses and emergency plan. The My Cortisol app is available for both Apple and Android devices.
On long haul flights, give your child their usual morning dose at 6 to 8 hourly intervals.
The same sick-day rules apply with hydrocortisone.
If you need to give an emergency intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone, your child needs to be taken to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. Let the doctor know that emergency hydrocortisone has already been administered and that your child is on steroid replacement therapy.
Your child should not be discharged until the staff are satisfied that blood glucose and salt levels are normal.
Remember to take your steroid card and medical details with you as this will help the local doctors.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Endocrine Specialist Nurses Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm on 0114 226 7815.
Or on evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays, call on 0114 271 7000 and ask to speak to the medical doctor on call for advice.
Nurse Specialist in Late Effects on 0114 305 3676.
For more information please visit our other resources for adrenal insufficiency sick days and how to give emergency injection of hydrocortisone.
Please note: this is a generic information sheet relating to care at Sheffield Children’s NHS FT. These details may not reflect treatment at other hospitals. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professionals’ instructions. If this resource relates to medicines, please read it alongside the medicine manufacturer’s patient information leaflet. If this information has been translated into another language from English, efforts have been made to maintain accuracy, but there may still be some translation errors. If you are unsure about any of the guidance in this resource or have specific questions about how it relates to your child, always ask your healthcare professional for further advice.
Resource number: END24
Resource Type: Article
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TH
United Kingdom
Switchboard: 0114 271 7000
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