Cited by 32Adrenal Hormones and DisordersStress Responses and CortisolHormonal Regulation and Hypertension

Hypoglycaemia in adrenal insufficiency

Open access
Lee, Shien Chen, Baranowski, Elizabeth S., Sakremath, Rajesh, Saraff, Vrinda, Mohamed, Zainaba·2023·Frontiers in Endocrinology

Abstract

Adrenal insufficiency encompasses a group of congenital and acquired disorders that lead to inadequate steroid production by the adrenal glands, mainly glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids and androgens. These may be associated with other hormone deficiencies. Adrenal insufficiency may be primary, affecting the adrenal gland’s ability to produce cortisol directly; secondary, affecting the pituitary gland’s ability to produce adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH); or tertiary, affecting corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) production at the level of the hypothalamus. Congenital causes of adrenal insufficiency include the subtypes of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Adrenal Hypoplasia, genetic causes of Isolated ACTH deficiency or Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiencies, usually caused by mutations in essential transcription factors. The most commonly inherited primary cause of adrenal insufficiency is Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency; with the classical form affecting 1 in 10,000 to 15,000 cases per year. Acquired causes of adrenal insufficiency can be subtyped into autoimmune (Addison’s Disease), traumatic (including haemorrhage or infarction), infective (e.g. Tuberculosis), infiltrative (e.g. neuroblastoma) and iatrogenic. Iatrogenic acquired causes include the use of prolonged exogenous steroids and post-surgical causes, such as the excision of a hypothalamic-pituitary tumour or adrenalectomy. Clinical features of adrenal insufficiency vary with age and with aetiology. They are often non-specific and may sometimes become apparent only in times of illness. Features range from those related to hypoglycaemia such as drowsiness, collapse, jitteriness, hypothermia and seizures. Features may also include signs of hypotension such as significant electrolyte imbalances and shock. Recognition of hypoglycaemia as a symptom of adrenal insufficiency is important to prevent treatable causes of sudden deaths. Cortisol has a key role in glucose homeostasis, particularly in the counter-regulatory mechanisms to prevent hypoglycaemia in times of biological stress. Affected neonates particularly appear susceptible to the compromise of these counter-regulatory mechanisms but it is recognised that affected older children and adults remain at risk of hypoglycaemia. In this review, we summarise the pathogenesis of hypoglycaemia in the context of adrenal insufficiency. We further explore the clinical features of hypoglycaemia based on different age groups and the burden of the disease, focusing on hypoglycaemic-related events in the various aetiologies of adrenal insufficiency. Finally, we sum up strategies from published literature for improved recognition and early prevention of hypoglycaemia in adrenal insufficiency, such as the use of continuous glucose monitoring or modifying glucocorticoid replacement.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This narrative review summarizes the pathogenesis, clinical burden, and management of hypoglycaemia in adrenal insufficiency, with a focus on children. It highlights that cortisol deficiency impairs counter-regulatory glucose responses and that hypoglycaemia remains an under-recognised, potentially fatal complication across adrenal insufficiency aetiologies.

Key findings

  • In children with primary adrenal insufficiency, 30 out of 165 (18%) experienced hypoglycaemic episodes; all episodes were associated with prior fasting or poor oral intake due to vomiting or viral illness, and affected children had significantly lower basal cortisol levels.
  • In a cohort of children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia followed to age 6 years, hypoglycaemia occurred in 16 out of 102 children (15%), with 23 total episodes; 7 episodes were associated with salt loss, loss of consciousness occurred in 13 of the 16 hypoglycaemic episodes, and 5 children had hypoglycaemic seizures.
  • Among emergency hospital admissions of children with CAH, 24 admissions (9%) were due to hypoglycaemia, and one third of these presented with hypoglycaemic seizures.
  • In adults presenting to an emergency department with hypoglycaemia, adrenal insufficiency was diagnosed in 32 out of 528 patients (6%); symptoms included tremors, palpitations, sweating, hunger, paresthesia, dizziness, weakness, and confusion.

Methods

  • Narrative review of published literature on hypoglycaemia in adrenal insufficiency.
  • Literature search performed in PubMed using terms including “primary adrenal insufficiency,” “secondary adrenal insufficiency,” “cortisol deficiency,” “hypoadrenalism,” “adrenal crises,” “hypoglycaemia,” and “low blood sugars.”
  • Due to lack of reliable available evidence, the authors also included specific conditions known to cause adrenal insufficiency, mainly congenital adrenal hyperplasia, congenital adrenal hypoplasia, panhypopituitarism, and Addison’s disease; all papers related to the search terms were included.

Limitations

  • The paper states that data on hypoglycaemia-related deaths in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency are limited, and that the frequency of hypoglycaemia during adrenal crises is not widely studied.
  • The authors state it was difficult to ascertain whether hypoglycaemia partly contributed to adrenal crisis-associated deaths, and that the definitive role of continuous glucose monitoring in preventing hypoglycaemia in children with adrenal insufficiency is yet to be established and calls for larger multi-centre studies.
  • Evident from the text: this is a narrative review without a systematic search strategy, formal quality appraisal, or meta-analysis, and it relies on heterogeneous studies, including small case series and older cohorts.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3389/fendo.2023.1198519

Cites

66 of 66 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

45 of 81 cited sources checked · 27 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    More than half of the unexpected deaths in that cohort were thought to have undiagnosed secondary adrenal insufficiency.

    “In addition, more than half of the unexpected deaths were thought to have undiagnosed secondary adrenal insufficiency (9).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [9] Mills, 2004, Long-term mortality in the United States cohort of pituitary-derived growth hormone recipients, J Pediatr source

      The Results report that 59 of 106 sudden, unexpected deaths (56%) had a clinical course strongly suggestive of adrenal insufficiency. The paper does not say that more than half had *undiagnosed secondary* adrenal insufficiency; it also describes deaths involving inadequate treatment of adrenal insufficiency. (LLM, conf=0.89)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    Mortality rates in patients with adrenal insufficiency and accompanying diabetes were higher than those with adrenal insufficiency alone.

    “Although it was difficult to ascertain if hypoglycaemia partly contributed to the adrenal crisis-associated deaths, it was identified that mortality rates in patients with AI and accompanying diabetes were higher than those with AI alone (43).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [43] Ngaosuwan, 2021, Increased mortality risk in patients with primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency, J Clin Endocrinol Metab source
  • Premisecitation

    In a large cohort study of patients who received growth hormone in the United States, 24.5% (106 out of 433) deaths recorded were sudden and unexpected.

    “In a large cohort study of patients who received growth hormone in the United States, 24.5% (106 out of the 433) deaths recorded were found to be sudden and unexpected.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [9] Mills, 2004, Long-term mortality in the United States cohort of pituitary-derived growth hormone recipients, J Pediatr source
  • Premisecitation

    In one study, 8 out of 63 (12%) children with Addison's disease in a rural and urban Pakistan province presented with hypoglycaemia during an adrenal crisis.

    “In one study, 8 out of 63 (12%) children with Addison’s disease in a rural and urban Pakistan province presented with hypoglycaemia during an adrenal crisis (42).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [42] Laghari, 2020, Spectrum of addison’s disease in children, J Coll Physicians Surg Pak source
  • Premisecitation

    Cortisol has a key role in glucose homeostasis, particularly in the counter-regulatory mechanisms to prevent hypoglycaemia in times of biological stress.

    “Cortisol has a key role in glucose homeostasis, particularly in the counter-regulatory mechanisms to prevent hypoglycaemia in times of biological stress.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [10] Sprague, 2011, Glucose counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia, Pediatr Endocrinol reviews: PER
    • cites [11] De Feo, 1989, Contribution of cortisol to glucose counterregulation in humans, Am J PhysiologyEndocrinol And Metab source
    • cites [12] De Feo, 1989, Demonstration of a role for growth hormone in glucose counterregulation, Am J Physiology-Endocrinol And Metab source
    • cites [13] Tesfaye, 2010, Neuroendocrine responses to hypoglycemia, Ann New York Acad Sci source

      In “The counterregulatory factors” (page not provided), the paper says cortisol helps limit the degree of prolonged hypoglycemia through metabolic effects. It also says cortisol has no immediate role in recovery from acute hypoglycemia. The claim’s broader emphasis on preventing hypoglycemia during biological stress is not established by these passages. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • May combine two claims. 18
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 13
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Cortisol deficiency causes a reduction in endogenous glucose production and an increase in glucose oxidation, which can lead to hypoglycaemia.

    “In addition, cortisol deficiency causes a reduction in endogenous glucose production and an increase in glucose oxidation, which can lead to hypoglycaemia (23).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [23] Christiansen, 2007, Effects of cortisol on carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism: studies of acute cortisol withdrawal in adrenocortical failure, J Clin Endocrinol Metab source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Adrenal crisis was found to be an associated cause of death in 10% of those with adrenal insufficiency, mainly due to a compromise in the circulatory system.

    “Adrenal crisis was found to be an associated cause of death in 10% of those with adrenal insufficiency, and this was mainly due to a compromise in the circulatory system.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [43] Ngaosuwan, 2021, Increased mortality risk in patients with primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency, J Clin Endocrinol Metab source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    One study calculated the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) to be 3 times higher in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and mortality was significantly higher in infancy and children up to 4 years old.

    “One study calculated the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) to be 3 times higher in children with CAH, and the mortality was significantly higher in infancy and children up to 4 years old (45), especially in the salt-wasting phenotype (46, 47).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [45] Swerdlow, 1998, Mortality in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a cohort study, J Pediatr source
    • cites [46] Kovacs,´, 2001, Lessons from 30 years of clinical diagnosis and treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia in five middle european countries, J Clin Endocrinol Metab source
    • cites [47] Falhammar, 2014, Increased mortality in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency, J Clin Endocrinol Metab source

      The Mortality section reports an overall hazard ratio of 2.8 for patients with CAH versus controls, approximately threefold higher, and says the excess mortality was concentrated in the first year of life. It does not report a standardized mortality ratio for children or establish significantly higher mortality throughout ages 0–4. (LLM, conf=0.87)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In children and young adults with AI, they may have hypoglycaemia, weakness, fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, headaches, muscle and joint pains.

    “In children and young adults with AI, they may have hypoglycaemia, weakness, fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, headaches, muscle and joint pains (1, 2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [1] Patti, 2018, Central adrenal insufficiency in children and adolescents, Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab source
    • cites [2] Bornstein, 2016, Diagnosis and treatment of primary adrenal insufficiency: an endocrine society clinical practice guideline, J Clin Endocrinol Metab source

      The General Introduction (page unavailable) lists hypoglycemia, weakness, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and abdominal pain as features of primary adrenal insufficiency; Table 1 also lists nausea and vomiting during adrenal crisis. The guideline does not identify headaches as a symptom or specifically establish this full symptom list for children and young adults, and its scope is primary rather than all adrenal insufficiency. (LLM, conf=0.85)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    A study in Japan diagnosed adrenal insufficiency in 32 out of 528 patients (6%) after presenting to the emergency department with hypoglycaemia.

    “A study in Japan diagnosed adrenal insufficiency in 32 out of 528 patients (6%) after presenting to the emergency department with hypoglycaemia.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [36] Kawahara, 2022, Frequency of adrenal insufficiency in patients with hypoglycemia in an emergency department: A cross-sectional study, J Endocrine Soc source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In a study looking at emergency hospital admissions of children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, 24 admissions (9%) were due to hypoglycaemia and a third of these presented with hypoglycaemic seizures.

    “In a study looking at emergency hospital admissions of children with CAH, 24 admissions (9%) were due to hypoglycaemia and a third of these presented with hypoglycaemic seizures (39).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [39] Donaldson, 1994, Presentation, acute illness, and learning difficulties in salt wasting 21-hydroxylase deficiency, Arch Dis childhood source

      The ACUTE ILLNESS section reports hypoglycaemia in 24 (9%) admissions and convulsions with hypoglycaemia in eight of those admissions—one third. It does not say the admissions were due to hypoglycaemia; it says hypoglycaemia was documented during them. The study concerns children with salt-wasting 21-hydroxylase deficiency, a specific form of CAH. (LLM, conf=0.87)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    74% of these unexpected deaths were associated with multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies and hypoglycaemia was highlighted in 31% of these 106 deaths.

    “74% of these unexpected deaths were associated with multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies and hypoglycaemia was highlighted in 31% of these 106 deaths.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [9] Mills, 2004, Long-term mortality in the United States cohort of pituitary-derived growth hormone recipients, J Pediatr source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Lack of cortisol has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity, which enhances peripheral tissue's uptake of glucose, thereby increasing the risk of a hypoglycaemia event.

    “Lack of cortisol has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity (23), which will enhance peripheral tissue’s uptake of glucose, thereby increasing the risk of a hypoglycaemia event.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [23] Christiansen, 2007, Effects of cortisol on carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism: studies of acute cortisol withdrawal in adrenocortical failure, J Clin Endocrinol Metab source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    One published cohort study in the UK from 1987 to 2017 showed a significant rise in mortality rates in patients with adrenal insufficiency compared to matched healthy controls, and the risk is significantly higher in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency compared to secondary adrenal insufficiency.

    “One published cohort study in the UK from 1987 to 2017 showed a significant rise in mortality rates in patients with AI compared to matched healthy controls, and the risk is significantly higher in patients with PAI compared to SAI.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [43] Ngaosuwan, 2021, Increased mortality risk in patients with primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency, J Clin Endocrinol Metab source

      Split into 2 atoms — 1 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Parents and carers described a reduction in unplanned hospital admissions due to hypoglycaemia with continuous glucose monitoring use.

    “Parents and carers also described marked improvement in the quality of life with CGM use and a reduction in unplanned hospital admissions due to hypoglycaemia (65).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [65] Ng, 2023, Paediatric society and hyperinsulinism charity national surveys on cgm access for patients with recurrent hypoglycaemia, J Endocrine Soc source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The highest hypoglycaemia sensitivity of continuous glucose monitoring was reported at 86% with a hypoglycaemia threshold of 3.9 mmol/L.

    “The lowest hypoglycaemia sensitivity was reported at 17% with a hypoglycaemia threshold of 2.6mmol/L (62), as opposed to the highest hypoglycaemia sensitivity of only 86% with a hypoglycaemia threshold of 3.9mmol/L (63).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [63] Rayannavar, 2019, Continuous glucose monitoring systems: are they useful for evaluating glycemic control in children with hyperinsulinism, Hormone Res paediat source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    A recent large survey in the UK revealed a high demand for continuous glucose monitoring in patients with recurrent hypoglycaemia without diabetes.

    “A recent large survey in the UK revealed a high demand for CGM in those patients with recurrent hypoglycaemia without diabetes and it was interesting to see how funding was obtained for some of these patients across the country.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [65] Ng, 2023, Paediatric society and hyperinsulinism charity national surveys on cgm access for patients with recurrent hypoglycaemia, J Endocrine Soc source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    One prospective 2-year study monitored and titrated doses of hydrocortisone based on salivary 17-OHP levels in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia up to 8 years of age, and the outcome was a lower median daily hydrocortisone dose with no observed adrenal crises.

    “One prospective 2-year study has closely monitored and titrated the doses of hydrocortisone based on salivary 17-OHP levels in children with CAH up to 8 years of age and the outcome was a lower median daily hydrocortisone dose with no observed adrenal crises (51).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [51] Neumann, 2021, A prospective study of children aged 0–8 years with cah and adrenal insufficiency treated with hydrocortisone granules, J Clin Endocrinol Metab source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Due to gastric acids and hepatic first-pass effect, the recommended glucocorticoid treatment in children with primary adrenal insufficiency is slightly higher, ranging between 6-12mg/m2/day.

    “Due to gastric acids and hepatic first-pass effect, the recommended glucocorticoid treatment in children with primary AI is slightly higher, ranging between 6-12mg/m2/day (1, 49).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [1] Patti, 2018, Central adrenal insufficiency in children and adolescents, Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab source
    • cites [49] Cambiaso, 2013, Nocturnal hypoglycaemia in acth and gh deficient children: role of continuous glucose monitoring, Clin Endocrinol source

      The Introduction (page unavailable) recommends hydrocortisone replacement for children, but specifies 6–8 mg/m²/day for central adrenal insufficiency, not 6–12 mg/m²/day for primary adrenal insufficiency. The cited paper does not give gastric acids or hepatic first-pass metabolism as the reason for a higher dose. (LLM, conf=0.87)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    A recent qualitative study of parents with young children with adrenal insufficiency demonstrated that most followed hydrocortisone oral stress dosing instructions prior to hospital admission, but only 2 out of 16 parents gave parenteral hydrocortisone at home, and the remaining patients received this from either paramedics or emergency department staff.

    “A recent qualitative study of parents with young children with AI demonstrated that most of them followed the hydrocortisone oral stress dosing instructions prior to hospital admission, but only 2 out of 16 parents gave parenteral hydrocortisone at home, and the remaining patients received this from either the paramedics or emergency department staff (54).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [54] Worth, 2021, Acute illness and death in children with adrenal insufficiency, Front Endocrinol source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Parents and carers described marked improvement in quality of life with continuous glucose monitoring use.

    “Parents and carers also described marked improvement in the quality of life with CGM use and a reduction in unplanned hospital admissions due to hypoglycaemia (65).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [65] Ng, 2023, Paediatric society and hyperinsulinism charity national surveys on cgm access for patients with recurrent hypoglycaemia, J Endocrine Soc source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Lack of cortisol results in slow transport and maturation of bile acid synthesis, causing conjugated hyperbilirubinemia with raised liver enzymes, usually presenting at a median age of 13 days of life.

    “The lack of cortisol results in slow transport and maturation of bile acid synthesis, causing conjugated hyperbilirubinemia with raised liver enzymes, which usually presents at a median age of 13 days of life (1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1] Patti, 2018, Central adrenal insufficiency in children and adolescents, Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Blunted epinephrine response was seen in all patients with pituitary adenoma during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia, but the impairment is worst in those patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency.

    “Blunted epinephrine response was seen in all patients with pituitary adenoma during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia, but the impairment is worst in those patients with SAI (29).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [29] Morita, 2007, Reduced epinephrine reserve in response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in patients with pituitary adenoma, Eur J Endocrinol source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Newborns with AI typically present with severe hypoglycaemia, seizures, failure to thrive, prolonged cholestatic jaundice, and in some cases coma.

    “Newborns with AI typically present with severe hypoglycaemia, seizures, failure to thrive, prolonged cholestatic jaundice, and in some cases coma.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1] Patti, 2018, Central adrenal insufficiency in children and adolescents, Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In that cohort, loss of consciousness was seen in 13 out of the 16 hypoglycaemic episodes, and 5 children had hypoglycaemic seizures.

    “Loss of consciousness was seen in 13 out of the 16 hypoglycaemic episodes, and 5 children had hypoglycaemic seizures (35).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [35] Odenwald, 2016, Children with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia experience salt loss and hypoglycemia: evaluation of adrenal crises during the first 6 years of life, Eur J Endocrinol source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Hypocortisolaemia in neonates with hyperinsulinism was due to inappropriately low ACTH levels, indicating that neonates with hyperinsulinism may have blunted ACTH response from the hypothalamic-pituitary axis during a hypoglycaemia event.

    “This study demonstrated that hypocortisolaemia was due to inappropriately low ACTH levels, indicating that neonates with hyperinsulinism may have blunted ACTH response from the hypothalamic-pituitary axis during a hypoglycaemia event (31).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [31] Hussain, 2003, Neonates with symptomatic hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia generate inappropriately low serum cortisol counterregulatory hormonal responses, J Clin Endocrinol Metab source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    In a study following children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia up to 6 years of age, the number of adrenal crises is roughly 6.5 per 100 patient-years.

    “In a study following children with CAH up to 6 years of age, the number of adrenal crises is roughly 6.5 per 100 patient-years (35).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [35] Odenwald, 2016, Children with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia experience salt loss and hypoglycemia: evaluation of adrenal crises during the first 6 years of life, Eur J Endocrinol source
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Affected neonates appear particularly susceptible to compromise of counter-regulatory mechanisms, but affected older children and adults remain at risk of hypoglycaemia.

    “Affected neonates particularly appear susceptible to the compromise of these counter-regulatory mechanisms but it is recognised that affected older children and adults remain at risk of hypoglycaemia.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    One study reported 2 deaths in young children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia from hypoglycaemic seizures.

    “However, we found one other study that reported 2 deaths in young children with CAH from hypoglycaemic seizures (40).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [40] Pinto, 2003, Followup of 68 children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency: relevance of genotype for management, J Clin Endocrinol Metab source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The incidence of adrenal crises in individuals with primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency is approximately 5-10 per 100 patient-years.

    “The incidence of adrenal crises in individuals with primary or secondary AI is approximately 5-10 per 100 patient-years (4, 5, 32).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [4] Hahner, 2010, Epidemiology of adrenal crisis in chronic adrenal insufficiency: the need for new prevention strategies, Eur J Endocrinol source
    • cites [5] Rushworth, 2018, Adrenal crises in children: perspectives and research directions, Hormone Res Paediat source
    • cites [32] Hahner, 2015, High incidence of adrenal crisis in educated patients with chronic adrenal insufficiency: a prospective study, J Clin Endocrinol Metab source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Under-replacement of glucocorticoids may lead to adrenal crises and hypoglycaemia.

    “Overreplacement of glucocorticoids has been associated with increased mortality (50), and under-replacement may lead to adrenal crises and hypoglycaemia.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Insulin sensitivity is highest between 0200 and 0400, causing patients with adrenal insufficiency to be at risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia.

    “Insulin sensitivity is also the highest between 0200 and 0400, causing patients with AI to be at risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia (52).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [52] Meyer, 2012, Nocturnal hypoglycemia identified by a continuous glucose monitoring system in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (addison’s disease), Diabetes Technol Ther source
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The definitive role of continuous glucose monitoring in the prevention of hypoglycaemia in children with adrenal insufficiency is not yet established.

    “In summary, the definitive role of CGM in the prevention of hypoglycaemia in children with AI is yet to be established and calls for larger multi-centre studies.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Use of technology for blood sugar monitoring in children is currently only established in Type 1 diabetes.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Children, especially young children with adrenal insufficiency, are vulnerable to the effects of hypoglycaemia.

    “We have summarised the current literature on hypoglycaemia in AI and the significance of this problem as children are vulnerable to the effects of hypoglycaemia, especially young children with AI.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
29 of 29
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Findings from cited studies of specific adrenal insufficiency subtypes and related conditions (such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, secondary adrenal insufficiency with growth hormone deficiency, and hyperinsulinism) can be generalised to the broader population of patients with adrenal insufficiency.

    “Due to lack of reliable available evidence, we also included specific conditions known to cause AI for a more comprehensive review- mainly congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), congenital adrenal hypoplasia, panhypopituitarism and Addison’s disease.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Use of technology for blood sugar monitoring in children is currently only established in Type 1 diabetes.

    “However, the use of technology for blood sugar monitoring in children is currently only established in Type 1 diabetes.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The modified-release hydrocortisone preparation has a dual-release mechanism with an outer coating for immediate release and an inner core for sustained slower release.

    “The modified-release preparation has a dual-release mechanism; an outer coating for an immediate release of hydrocortisone, and an inner core for a more sustained slower release.”
3 of 3

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • The mechanisms of hypoglycemia in primary adrenal insufficiency are primarily due to cortisol deficiency.

    “The mechanisms of hypoglycemia in primary adrenal insufficiency are primarily due to cortisol deficiency.”
  • Patients with AI are at increased risk for hypoglycemia because glucocorticoids are involved in the counterregulatory hormonal response to hypoglycemia and are required for appropriate adrenal medulla development and function, including catecholamine production.

    “First, glucocorticoids are involved in the counterregulatory hormonal response to hypoglycemia and are required for appropriate adrenal medulla development and function, including the production of catecholamines, which are also involved in the same response [32].”

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Conflicting totals for hypoglycaemic episodes

    Minor

    The cohort is said to have had 23 hypoglycaemic episodes, but the next sentence describes 16 as the number of hypoglycaemic episodes when reporting loss of consciousness. The text does not explain why the denominator changes.

1 of 1

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Authors
Lee, S. C., Baranowski, E. S., Sakremath, R., Saraff, V., & Mohamed, Z.
Affiliations
Birmingham Women's Hospital (GB)
Corresponding author
  • Lee, Shien Chen
  • Mohamed, Zainaba
Venue
Frontiers in Endocrinology
Published
2023-11-20
Volume
14
Pages
1198519-1198519
ISSN
1664-2392 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4388832235
Cited by
32
References
70
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 7
FWCI
5.35
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Frontiers in Endocrinology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal Regulation and Hypertension
Keywords
adrenal insufficiency, hypoglycemia, cortisol, counter-regulatory mechanisms, glucose homeostasis, Addison's disease, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, 21-hydroxylase deficiency, adrenal hypoplasia, ACTH deficiency, iatrogenic adrenal insufficiency, adrenal hemorrhage, adrenal tuberculosis, neuroblastoma, hypoglycemic coma
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adrenal Insufficiency, Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, Adult, Blood Glucose, Child, Glucocorticoids, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Hypoglycemia, Iatrogenic Disease, Infant, Newborn, Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-14.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-14.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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