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Q:My child has just been diagnosed with Addison's disease. Can Addison's disease affect their growth and development, especially during puberty?
A:
Patients who develop adrenal insufficiency during childhood may not grow adequately due to the chronic ill health associated with Addison's disease. However, once they have commenced therapy, growth should proceed as should their puberty development.
Obviously, if children receive excessive doses of corticosteroids, growth retardation can occur as can slowing of pubertal development. However with the correct replacement therapy this should not occur.
