METABOLIC STUDIES IN PATIENTS WITH CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA. EFFECTS OF CORTISONE THERAPY*

Abstract

The results of metabolic studies and clinical observations before, during and after cortisone . therapy in 4 patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia are presented. Direct measurement of circulating 17-hydroxycortico-steroid plasma levels reveals low or low normal values whereas circulating blood levels of ACTH are high before therapy. In these patients in contrast to normal individuals , no elevation of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids is found in response to ACTH injn. The eosinophil response to ACTH is abnormal during the pretherapy period but returns to normal with cortisone therapy.