Addison's disease in children

Addison's disease due to tuberculosis in a 13-year-old girl

“…These symptoms, including "anemia, general langor and debility, remarkable feebleness of heart action, irritability of the stomach, and a peculiar change of colour in the skin" are today well recognized as part of the clinical presentation of adrenal insufficiency. Of the nine cases Addison described in 1853, six were due to tuberculosis of the adrenal gland [2].…”

“…Hence, although the primary infection often occurs in childhood, Addison's disease usually does not become evident until the patient is past the pediatric age group. In a review of the literature on pediatric Addison's disease prior to 1946 Jaudon noted that 80% of cases were over 10 years of age [2].…”

Addison's Disease in a 6-year-old Boy

“…Jaudon (1946) found 62 cases described before June, 1945. Williams and Robinson (1956) reported four cases in infancy.…”

Associated Endocrine Disorders in the Chronic Form of Primary Adrenocortical Failure (Addison’s Disease)

“…1940] -this, however, applies mainly to chil dren with the disease [Jaudon, 1946] -to increased pigmentation due to melanotropin2, the circulating levels of which increase [Abe et al, 1967] when there is hypersecre tion of corticotropin which itself results from the disappearance of cortisol. The main con sequence of the absence of cortisol secretion lies in the danger of circulatory collapse in stressful situations, through hitherto ill-de fined mechanisms [Kalsner, 1969].…”