Signs & Symptoms of Addison's Disease in a Child

Addison’s Disease is caused by an under active adrenal gland, which results in the body producing inadequate amounts of cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol is an important hormone that controls how the body uses fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Cortisol also suppresses inflammatory reactions and is important to the functioning of the immune system. Aldosterone controls sodium and potassium in the blood. Addison's Disease can occur at any age.

Mild Addison's symptoms

• A child experiencing symptoms of mild Addison’s may only show them when he is under physical stress, but each child will exhibit symptoms differently. Symptoms of mild Addison’s include weakness, fatigue, dizziness, rapid pulse, dark skin first seen on hands and face, black freckles and bluish-black discoloration of the skin around the nipples, mouth, rectum, scrotum or vagina. Other symptoms are loss of appetite, dehydration, weight loss, intense craving for salt, nausea, aching muscles, vomiting, diarrhea and sensitivity to cold.

Severe symptoms

• If Addison’s goes untreated or undiagnosed, the disease can cause severe abdominal pain, low blood pressure, kidney failure, significant weakness and shock. All of these symptoms can be aggravated if the child is undergoing any kind of physical stress.

Lack of adrenal hormones

• The lack of adrenal hormones can cause elevated potassium levels, extreme sensitivity to insulin and low blood sugar. Adrenal hormones also help the body during times of extreme physical stress such as surgery, infection or injury.

Diagnosis

• The diagnosis of Addison’s disease is made by a physician and usually includes a complete review of the medical history, a physical exam and a blood test to measure corticosteroid hormone levels.

Treatment

• Treatment of Addison’s is patient-specific and takes several factors into account, including the age of the child, physical health, extent of the disease, tolerance to medications, procedures or therapies, and expectations of the course of the disease. The goal of any treatment prescribed by the physician is to help the adrenal gland return to normal function, producing sufficient quantities of corticosteroid hormones. Addison’s Disease can be life-threatening if left untreated, and any treatment usually starts with the administration of corticosteroids, such as prednisone given orally or intravenously. In most cases, the patient will need to continue taking corticosteroids for the rest of her life. Other treatments may include medications to restore the patient’s sodium and potassium levels to normal.