[Primary adrenal insufficiency in children].

Three boys, aged 5, 11 and 14 years, were admitted due to vomiting, fatigue and dehydration, and a 10-year-old boy was admitted due to circulatory and respiratory insufficiency. Two had Addison's disease, one had a late presentation of congenital adrenal hypoplasia due to a DAX-1 mutation and in one adrenal insufficiency was the first manifestation ofadrenoleukodystrophia. The boys recovered after treatment. It is important to recognise the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, because treatment can be life-saving. After the initial diagnosis the underlying pathology should be sought.