Abstract
Adrenal cortical function was assessed in a dozen children by measurement of plasma cortisol rise after a single injection of the synthetic polypeptide Synacthen (β1-24 cor ticotropin), and by measurement of urinary 17 hydroxycorticosteroid response to a three- day stimulation with ACTH.
Statistically significant correlation between the results of these two tests indicates that the Synacthen test is a valid and useful ap proach to appraising adrenal cortical funç tion in children.
The Synacthen test possesses a number of advantages over the ACTH test—the test substance is purer, the results are obtained much more quickly, and the risk of ana phylactic shock is eliminated.
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