Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal function in infantile spasms: effects of ACTH therapy.

The metyrapone test was used to study the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal function in ten children with infantile spasms, before and after ACTH treatment. The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal response was normal before ACTH treatment in almost all children. After ACTH, the responses of two children were suggestive of a diminished pituitary reserve; three were suggestive of decreased adrenal as well as decreased pituitary reserve, and one suggested either adrenal hyperplasia with normal pituitary reserve, or appropriate response to a developing medical stress. We suggest that, in children being treated with ACTH, the dosage of ACTH should be gradually tapered, AM cortisol levels should be monitored, and high-dose steroids should be included when treating medical stress.