[Fatal complication of intravenous administration of synthetic adrenocorticotrophin].

Synthetic 1-24adrenocorticotrophin (tetracosactid, Synacthen) is used in clinical medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Side effects may occur due to unphysiological stimulation of endogenous adrenocortical hormone production. Allergic reactions to tetracosactid are rare. Anaphylactic shock leading to death was observed after intravenous injection of tetracosactid in a 14-year-old girl with bronchial asthma. Adrenocorticotrophin antibodies could be demonstrated after death in serum and ascitic fluid using the double antibody method.