Adrenocortical hypertension

Hormonal forms of juvenile hypertension include those disorders in which there is overproduction of hormones to which hypertensive properties have been attributed. It is uncertain whether the hormone which is present in excess is solely responsible for the hypertension. Indeed, data are being gathered suggesting that other unidentified hormones may be causative of some forms of hormonal hypertension. Endocrine disorders associated with hypertension are mentioned and include disorders associated with hormonal overproduction by the adrenal gland, the kidney, and the thyroid gland. For discussion of thyroid hormones and blood pressure the reader is referred to a recent review by Dratman. The most common hormonal disorders associated with hypertension are those in which there is oversecretion of a hormone by the adrenal cortex. Disorders of the adrenal medulla, including pheochromocytoma, will not be reviewed. In order to understand the mechanisms of adrenocortical hypertension, a brief review of steroidogenesis is necessary.