Pediatric Cushing Syndrome; an Overview

Endogenous Cushing syndrome (CS) is a rare entity in the pediatric population. Patients usually present with height deceleration and continuous weight gain, along with other classic stigmata of CS, such as acne, striae, hirsutism and others. The diagnosis of CS involves documentation of abnormal cortisol secretion with measurement of urinary free cortisol and midnight serum or salivary cortisol, and the use of the 1mg dexamethasone suppression test. After confirmation of CS, localization of the source of hypercortisolemia, involves differentiation of ACTH-dependent versus ACTH-independent causes of CS. Surgical resection of the identified source of CS is the preferred method of treatment whenever possible.