Isolated ACTH deficiency. Metabolic and endocrine studies in a 7-year-old boy.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Metabolic and endocrine studies on a 7 yr old boy with hypoglycemic convulsions were reported in detail, proving the diagnosis of isolated ACTH deficiency, a rare cause of hypoglycemia in childhood. Adrenaline [epinephrine] secretion during insulin-induced hypoglycemia was reduced. Low blood alanine levels occurred during starvation-induced hypoglycemia, together with raised total blood ketone bodies. Blood glucose did not increase adequately after oral alanine at this time. Hypoglycemia in isolated ACTH deficiency appeared to be due to a combination of impaired alanine mobilization and a decreased rate of gluconeogenesis.