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Integrity of the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in Kwashiorkor as Tested with Piromen
Abstract
Plasma cortisol levels were determined in 30 kwashiorkor children with and without Piromen stimulation on admission to hospital, after 1 week and after 5 weeks. A positive response after Piromen injection was considered to be present if there was an increase in cortisol level of 50% or more above the basal value. The incidence of responders was similar on admission and after 5 weeks. There were, however, fewer responders one week after admission than either at the beginning or at the end, the reaction appearing somewhat blunted at this stage. Plasma cortisol levels could not be related to the degree of body weight deficit, haemoglobin concentration, serum albumin reduction or total number of white blood cells. It is concluded that the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal interrelationship does not appear to be particularly disturbed in uncomplicated kwashiorkor.
