Adrenal Insufficiency in the Pediatric Emergency Department

Adrenal insufficiency is an important and potentially life-threatening condition that may present to the emergency department. Seven clinical scenarios of adrenal insufficiency that the emergency physician should be able to recognize and confidently manage are reviewed. Epidemiology and mortality, etiology, and pathophysiology are addressed. Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of acute and chronic adrenal disease are also covered. In particular, adrenal suppression due to exogenous steroid use, adrenal suppression in septic shock, and adrenal suppression associated with etomidate are reviewed.