Diagnostic Study of Adrenal Cortical Function in Children With Septic Shock

You may be eligible if

• PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:
• -Disease Characteristics--
• Patients admitted to the PICU with septic shock; Hypotension (systolic blood pressure less than 2 standard deviations below age normal) plus 3 or more of the following: temperature greater than 38 or less than 36 degrees Celsius; heart rate greater than 90th percentile for age; respiratory rate greater than 90th percentile for age; WBC greater than 12,000/mm3 or less than 4,000/mm3 or greater than 10% band forms; perfusion abnormalities including lactic acidosis, oliguria, or an acute alteration in mental status
• Arterial or central venous catheter in place
• -Prior/Concurrent Therapy--
• At least one month since prior corticosteroids
• -Patient Characteristics--
• Renal: No nephrotic syndrome requiring glucocorticoids
• Pulmonary: No asthma requiring glucocorticoids
• Other: No condition requiring glucocorticoids (e.g., adrenal insufficiency); No uncontrolled diabetes mellitus; No prior adrenal dysfunction (plasma cortisol concentration less than 19 mcg/dL 30 and 60 minutes post corticotropin stimulation); No hypersensitivity to corticotropin