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Adrenal Gland Function in Children

When thinking of a child's health and safe development, the adrenal glands do not typically come to mind. The function of the adrenal glands, however, is necessary for health and well-being. It is only when the adrenal glands are malfunctioning that people usually pay attention to them. A basic understanding of these glands can help increase overall health.

  1. Location

    • The adrenal glands are located in the abdomen, on top of the kidneys. There are two of these glands, one on top of each kidney. The adrenal glands are also called suprarenal glands. Both of these names, adrenal and suprarenal, refer to the location of the glands and mean "at or near the kidneys."

    Identification

    • The adrenal glands are very small and triangular in shape, though some doctors describe them as star shaped. They are each composed of two different parts. These parts are the adrenal medulla and the adrenal cortex. Each of the parts is responsible for a different function inside a child or an adult's body. The adrenal glands also have adrenal arteries connected to them.

    Function

    • The adrenal glands are a part of the endocrine system, which means they work with other glands in the body to produce hormones, which are necessary for development and growth in a child. The adrenal cortex creates and secretes hormones directly into the blood stream, while the medulla creates hormones like epinephrine.

    Significance

    • The adrenal cortex creates hormones that are necessary for the everyday life of a child. The hormones secreted by this part of the adrenal glandsare responsible for controlling the body's use of fats and carbohydrates, and for fighting infections. Healthy adrenal cortex functioning is especially important in young children since it helps them fight off diseases and it strengthens their immune system. The adrenal medulla creates hormones that help a person cope with stress, both emotional and physical. This is also vitally important to a child as it helps in his ability to react appropriately to stressful and intense situations.

    Problems

    • There are several disorders that can affect adrenal hormone production. It is possible for a child to have overactive adrenal glands, in which their body will produce too many hormones, or under active adrenal glands, in which their body will not produce enough hormones. Another adrenal problem affecting children is a disorder called congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which is genetically inherited. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia affects development in children and may cause problems as this disorder can cause later problems with healthy development during puberty.

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