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(Dec 2009) Click here to download a copy of this leaflet:  Hydrocortisone Advice for Parents.pdf (445KB)
Hydrocortisone - ADVICE FOR PARENTS
What is hydrocortisone?
Hydrocortisone is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland. It plays a complex role in regulating body functions and is essential for survival. Cortisol has three main functions: Helps to control the blood sugar level Helps the body deal with stress Helps to control blood pressure and blood circulation Hydrocortisone is taken as a replacement for the natural hormone where this is deficient, either because of Multiple Pituitary Hormone Deficiencies (MPHD), Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) or Adrenal Insufficiency (AH).
Hydrocortisone is available in tablet under the trade name HYDROCORTISONE© 2008, containing 10mg or 20mg. Emergency injections for children contain: How does my child take it? Your child’s specialist will have instructed you about the appropriate doses he/she is required to take daily. It is important that your child receives his/her hydrocortisone. Any adjustments should be discussed with, and supervised by, your child’s specialist. When would my child need to take more hydrocortisone? If a child becomes ill then the body would naturally increase the output of steroid from his/her adrenals. Therefore if your child is taking replacement steroid (hydrocortisone) it is essential to mimic the natural response by increasing his/her dose appropriately. Please see the recommendations for changes in dose in the table below. Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) Two hormones are important in the maintenance of normal blood sugar levels " these are cortisol and Growth hormone. When sudden illness or severe stress occurs, the body will need extra supplies of these hormones to keep up the level of blood sugar. It is therefore extremely important for the child’s family to be vigilant when the child is unwell and to recognise early signs of hypoglycaemia. These signs can include your child: As part of the emergency kit that your clinic will supply is oral glucogel which should be given immediately if any of the above symptoms appear. Please see the recommendations about hypoglycaemia in the table below. 
Emergency Kits
Your child’s specialist treatment centre will issue you with emergency medication for your kit, which should be carried with your child at all times. A further kit should be kept at the child’s school, nursery or college. Each kit should contain: 1 vial of Efcortesol® 1 2ml syringe 2 blue needles 1 tube of oralgel with instructions for use 1 leaflet ‘How to give an emergency injection of Efcortesol®’ Child’s steroid /care card
If your child is of school age, please see our Care Guide for School fact sheet, for pupils taking hydrocortisone. Please click here to download a copy: Hydrocortisone Care Guide for School.pdf (126KB)
Medical Identity Emblems
It is recommended that all children taking steroid replacement therapy wear a medical identity bracelet or necklace at all times. For further information about medical emblems please click here. It is also important that they carry a Patient Care Card which details their condition, medication and essential contact numbers together with hydrocortisone replacement information. Please click here for more information. Holidays Parents must ensure that they take extra medication and their emergency injection kit for any travel. You should ask your specialist for a letter that explains your child’s condition with instructions as to what to do in an emergency. This letter will also be helpful at the airport when you go through the security checks and are carrying needles/medication. The Pituitary Foundation suggests that you make enquiries/arrangements with airport, airplane and hotel staff prior to travel regarding carrying sharps, refrigeration available and local resort medical facilities etc. It is important to note that airport security rules and regulations take precedence over airline policy - security guidelines are not the same in all countries and may even vary day-to-day. Therefore it is recommended that you check in advance of your departure. For more in depth advice about travelling with a child who is a pituitary patient, please see our For Parents of Pituitary Children Leaflet. 
THIS INFORMATION SHEET PROVIDES GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. ALL PATIENTS ARE DIFFERENT AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CHILD'S CONSULTANT OR GP. ©2009 The Pituitary Foundation. This material may not be stored or reproduced in any form or by any means without the permission of the authors and The Pituitary Foundation.
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