European researchers developed a novel formulation of hydrocortisone to treat adrenal insufficiency in neonates up to six years of age. The drug, with the project name Infacort was successfully tested and was submitted for approval to the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Adrenal insufficiency is a rare disorder with a prevalence of approximately 1 in 15 000 people in Europe. Patients do not produce sufficient amounts of the hormone cortisol, an essential component of the physiological response to challenges such as infection, injury or surgery. As a result, any infection, unless treated, may cause adrenal crisis leading to hypotension, circulatory collapse and rapid death.
Further details: Paediatric hydrocortisone