ADRENAL FUNCTION IN ALLERGY

Dexamethasone aerosols were studied in asthmatic children to determine their effectiveness and whether they produced suppression of adrenocortical function. In a double-blind cross-over study of 32 subjects, 24 children were definitely improved by the active material, 4 subjects did better on the placebo, and in 4 asthmatics no difference between the active and placebo aerosol could be detected. Adrenocortical function was measured by an ACTH-17-hydroxycorticosteroid response test and by measuring total 24-hour urinary excretion of 17 hydroxycorticosteroids. Both methods demonstrated statistically significant suppression of adrenocortical function. Thus, though aerosols of dexamethasone are effective in controlling asthma in children they do not avoid the side-effect of adrenocortical suppression.