Adrenal insufficiency in septic shock

BACKGROUND Functional adrenal insufficiency has been documented in critically ill adults. OBJECTIVE To document the incidence of adrenal insufficiency in children with septic shock, and to evaluate its effect on catecholamine requirements, duration of intensive care, and mortality. SETTING Sixteen-bed paediatric intensive care unit in a university hospital. METHODS Thirty three children with septic shock were enrolled. Adrenal function was assessed by the maximum cortisol response after synthetic adrenocorticotropin stimulation (short Synacthen test). Insufficiency was defined as a post-Synacthen cortisol increment