A. Chatterji

Adrenals in Malnourished and Undernourished Infants.

SummaryThe adrenals obtained from 6 cases of kwashiorkor, 5 of marasmic kwashiorkor and 2 of marasmus were subjected to histopathological study. Degenerative changes were found in the adrenal cortex, particularly the outer portion of the zona fasciculata. There was patchy depletion of lipoids in the adrenal cortex. The medulla was normal but one case showed evidence of extramedullary haemopoiesis. Incomplete involution of the foetal cortex was noted in 7 cases. Adenoma-like formations were present in 5 cases. There was a focus of round cell infiltration in one and a miliary tubercle in another. Adrenal haemorrhage, massive or relatively small, was seen in more than half the cases. The findings have been discussed.