What should parents do if their infant with CAH spits up after taking hydrocortisone?
This is such a common concern for parents, and it's understandable to worry about whether your son is getting enough medication when spit-up happens.
Your endocrinologist's guidance about absorption after 30 minutes is generally on Show Full Answer
What should parents do if their infant with CAH spits up after taking hydrocortisone?
This is such a common concern for parents, and it's understandable to worry about whether your son is getting enough medication when spit-up happens.
Your endocrinologist's guidance about absorption after 30 minutes is generally on track. Hydrocortisone is typically absorbed fairly quickly through the digestive system, with most absorption happening within the first 30 minutes.
However, the tricky part is that every situation is different. Here are some factors to consider:
* How much was spit up (a small amount vs. a large volume)
* The timing (closer to 10 minutes vs. closer to 30 minutes)
* Whether the spit-up appeared to contain visible medication
* Your child's overall condition
What to do in these situations:
The safest approach is to contact your pediatric endocrinology team whenever this happens, especially in the beginning. They know your son's specific dosing needs and can give you personalized guidance.
Some teams provide specific instructions for parents about when to re-dose or give a partial dose based on timing. Ask your team if they have a protocol you can follow at home.
Why this matters:
Because children with classic CAH can't handle stress the same way other children can, having enough cortisol is critical. Without adequate cortisol, there's a risk of adrenal crisis, which is a medical emergency.
Keep track of when these spit-up episodes happen and share that information with your endocrinology team. They may be able to adjust timing of doses or suggest ways to minimize spit-up.
October 26, 2025
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