Cushing Syndrome/Disease in Children and Adolescents

Endogenous Cushing syndrome (CS) is a rare pediatric endocrine condition commonly caused by pituitary corticotroph tumors or less often by adrenal or ectopic sources. The typical presentation of the child with CS includes weight gain with height deceleration, characteristic skin findings, and hormonal and biochemical findings indicative of excessive glucocorticoid production. The diagnostic evaluation of the patient with suspected hypercortisolemia initially involves the confirmation of cortisol excess in blood and/or urine, and then the identification of source. The first line of management usually requires surgical treatment of a pituitary or adrenal lesion. In persistent or recurrent disease, re-operation, medical treatment, or radiation should be considered. For complete coverage of all related areas of Endocrinology, please visit our on-line FREE web-text, WWW.ENDOTEXT.ORG.