Plasma Cortisol, Testosterone, Estradiol and Progesterone Levels in Children with Acute Alcohol Intoxication

Alcohol consumption among children and adolescents is a growing problem in most industrialised countries [1-3]. As the frequency and amount of alcohol consumption has gradually increased, medical personnel at hospitals have had to become prepared for the corresponding increased workload. Biochemical tests, such as those for glucose, lactate and electrolytes levels have been used to study the clinical condition of children with AI. The studies performed in healthy adult volunteers [4-5] showed that hyperlactinaemia, hypokalaemia [6], hypernatraemia and hypoglycaemia [7], or hyperglycaemia do occur in AI. Hypoglycaemia has been found to be a severe problem in young children with acute AI [8]. Although it is not very common [9], it still requires careful examination. Hyperglycaemia can also occur in these children [9] as a result of the increased cortisol levels due to stimulation of the adrenocorticotropic hormone. The level of cortisol, one of the main stress hormones, is increased by various stress factors, including pain, inflammation, burns and scares. Some researchers have found an association between blood alcohol concentration and increased serum cortisol concentration [10-12], although others have not [13].