Cushing’s syndrome, also called hypercortisolism, is a condition in which the body produces too much of the hormone cortisol. In most cases, it is caused by an abnormality in the adrenal or pituitary glands.
Cushing syndrome (CS) is a multisystem disorder that results from the prolonged exposure to excess glucocorticoids. It is characterized by growth deceleration, weight gain, truncal obesity, facial plethora, and hypertension. In children, CS most commonly results from the exogenous administration of steroids.
Cortisol helps your child’s body respond to an illness or injury. It also stabilizes blood pressure and blood sugar levels. When the body produces too much cortisol, it can slow a child’s growth, disrupt puberty, and cause obesity, mood changes, and a variety of other symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of CS
- Weight gain, specifically in the mid-torso
- Vertical growth slows or stops
- Thin arms and legs compared to the rest of the body
- Stretch marks on abdomen, arms, thighs and buttocks
- Round or moon-shaped face
- Excess facial hair (hirsutism) in girls
- Menstrual changes in girls
- Acne
- Fatigue
- Precocious (early) puberty
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Fragile and thin skin
- Bruising
- Bone and muscle weakness
- Irritability and anxiety
Treatment?
Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Treatment may include
- Changing the dose of glucocorticoid hormone medicine, or switching to a different medicine
- Surgery to remove a tumor on an adrenal gland or the pituitary gland
- Surgery to remove the adrenal glands
- Medicines that block the excess production of cortisol
- Radiation treatment of the pituitary gland
- Chemotherapy or immunotherapy medicines
