An overview of the nursing issues involved in caring for a child with adrenal insufficiency
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An overview of the nursing issues involved in caring for a child with adrenal insufficiency

Sinéad Moloney Clinical nurse specialist, paediatric endocrinology, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, Dublin
Nuala Murphy Consultant paediatric endocrinologist, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, Dublin
Jacqueline Collin Lecturer, King’s College London

Adrenal insufficiency is an endocrine condition defined as the inadequate production or action of glucocorticoids, principally a steroid hormone called cortisol. While rare in childhood, it carries the risk of adrenal crisis in the event of a child becoming unwell as a result of intercurrent illness, injury or surgery. Children’s nurses must be vigilant in caring for a child with adrenal insufficiency and have a clear understanding and awareness of the principles of emergency management at home and in hospital.

Nursing Children and Young People. 27, 7, 28-36. doi: 10.7748/ncyp.27.7.28.e609

Correspondence

jacqueline.collin@kcl.ac.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to open peer review and has been checked using antiplagiarism software

Conflict of interest

None declared

Received: 23 December 2014

Accepted: 06 May 2015

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