Mometasone Furoate–Induced Iatrogenic Cushing’s Syndrome and Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency: A Case Report

Intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) are widely used to treat allergic rhinitis and nasal obstruction. While their safety profile is generally well established, both local and systemic side effects can occur. While it is well-known that a chronic exposure to systemic glucocorticoid treatment could dete...

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Main Authors: Anna Insalaco, Sara Vandelli, Simona F. Madeo, Patrizia Bruzzi, Viola Trevisani, Barbara Predieri, Laura Lucaccioni, Lorenzo Iughetti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Pediatrics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/crpe/6109378
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author Anna Insalaco
Sara Vandelli
Simona F. Madeo
Patrizia Bruzzi
Viola Trevisani
Barbara Predieri
Laura Lucaccioni
Lorenzo Iughetti
author_facet Anna Insalaco
Sara Vandelli
Simona F. Madeo
Patrizia Bruzzi
Viola Trevisani
Barbara Predieri
Laura Lucaccioni
Lorenzo Iughetti
author_sort Anna Insalaco
collection DOAJ
description Intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) are widely used to treat allergic rhinitis and nasal obstruction. While their safety profile is generally well established, both local and systemic side effects can occur. While it is well-known that a chronic exposure to systemic glucocorticoid treatment could determine Cushing’s syndrome (CS) and suppression of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, there is less awareness when the administration is topical or intranasal. We report the case of an 8-year-old Caucasian girl who developed Cushingoid features following prolonged INCS treatment—initially with betamethasone and subsequently with mometasone furoate. Endocrine testing revealed undetectable baseline and after stimulation cortisol levels, suggesting a condition of adrenal insufficiency secondary to the prolonged glucocorticoid exogenous administration. Temporary hydrocortisone replacement therapy was required. Even if extremely rare, pediatricians should be aware that high-dose and long-term nasal steroid administration may cause iatrogenic CS, as well as systemic glucocorticoid treatment. Clinical features are characterized by the complications of glucocorticoid excess and by the potential life-threatening complications of adrenal insufficiency. Pediatric follow-up should be scheduled during the prolonged steroid treatment and at discontinuation, with prompt referral to a Pediatric Endocrinologist if signs and symptoms of CS (or adrenal insufficiency) are noticed.
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spelling doaj-art-9a940468c7f24f9190aba8b3bbc1bd9b2025-08-20T03:16:12ZengWileyCase Reports in Pediatrics2090-68112025-01-01202510.1155/crpe/6109378Mometasone Furoate–Induced Iatrogenic Cushing’s Syndrome and Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency: A Case ReportAnna Insalaco0Sara Vandelli1Simona F. Madeo2Patrizia Bruzzi3Viola Trevisani4Barbara Predieri5Laura Lucaccioni6Lorenzo Iughetti7Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and AdultsDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and AdultsDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and AdultsDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and AdultsDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and AdultsDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and AdultsDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and AdultsDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and AdultsIntranasal corticosteroids (INCS) are widely used to treat allergic rhinitis and nasal obstruction. While their safety profile is generally well established, both local and systemic side effects can occur. While it is well-known that a chronic exposure to systemic glucocorticoid treatment could determine Cushing’s syndrome (CS) and suppression of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, there is less awareness when the administration is topical or intranasal. We report the case of an 8-year-old Caucasian girl who developed Cushingoid features following prolonged INCS treatment—initially with betamethasone and subsequently with mometasone furoate. Endocrine testing revealed undetectable baseline and after stimulation cortisol levels, suggesting a condition of adrenal insufficiency secondary to the prolonged glucocorticoid exogenous administration. Temporary hydrocortisone replacement therapy was required. Even if extremely rare, pediatricians should be aware that high-dose and long-term nasal steroid administration may cause iatrogenic CS, as well as systemic glucocorticoid treatment. Clinical features are characterized by the complications of glucocorticoid excess and by the potential life-threatening complications of adrenal insufficiency. Pediatric follow-up should be scheduled during the prolonged steroid treatment and at discontinuation, with prompt referral to a Pediatric Endocrinologist if signs and symptoms of CS (or adrenal insufficiency) are noticed.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/crpe/6109378
spellingShingle Anna Insalaco
Sara Vandelli
Simona F. Madeo
Patrizia Bruzzi
Viola Trevisani
Barbara Predieri
Laura Lucaccioni
Lorenzo Iughetti
Mometasone Furoate–Induced Iatrogenic Cushing’s Syndrome and Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency: A Case Report
Case Reports in Pediatrics
title Mometasone Furoate–Induced Iatrogenic Cushing’s Syndrome and Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency: A Case Report
title_full Mometasone Furoate–Induced Iatrogenic Cushing’s Syndrome and Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency: A Case Report
title_fullStr Mometasone Furoate–Induced Iatrogenic Cushing’s Syndrome and Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency: A Case Report
title_full_unstemmed Mometasone Furoate–Induced Iatrogenic Cushing’s Syndrome and Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency: A Case Report
title_short Mometasone Furoate–Induced Iatrogenic Cushing’s Syndrome and Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency: A Case Report
title_sort mometasone furoate induced iatrogenic cushing s syndrome and secondary adrenal insufficiency a case report
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/crpe/6109378
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