Perioperative stress dose of
steroid
A steroid is a biologically active organic compound with four rings arranged in a specific molecular configuration. Steroids have two principal biological functions: as important components of cell membranes that alter membrane fluidity; and a ...
s to mitigate this rare but potentially fatal
complications of perioperative use of steroid such as full-blown
adrenal crisis
Adrenal crisis is a potentially life-threatening medical condition requiring immediate emergency treatment. It is a constellation of symptoms (caused by insufficient levels of the hormone cortisol) that indicate severe adrenal insufficiency. This m ...
in the perioperative period due to the
secondary adrenal insufficiency. Various exogenous steroid preparations are used for a wide range of
indications.
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Stress doses
Emergency corticosteroid
Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates, as well as the synthetic analogues of these hormones. Two main classes of corticosteroids, glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, are involv ...
supplementation in patients taking exogenous corticosteroids:
Pediatric doses
Emergent intramuscular dosing can be given if child is not tolerating oral medications or unable to get IV within 15 minutes. IM hydrocortisone sodium succinate doses are:
Stress Dose Steroids
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* 25 mg for child 3 years and younger
* 50 mg for children >3 yrs – 12 years
* 100 mg for children 12 years and older.
References
{{Reflist
Corticosteroids