Addison's disease in a young child: A rare entity in children.

Addison's disease is an adrenocortical insufficiency due to the dysfunction or destruction of the entire adrenal gland. The disease usually manifests when 90% or more of both adrenal cortices are dysfunctional or destroyed affecting both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid functions. The morbidity and mortality associated with Addison s disease is relatively high due to delay in diagnosis and initiation of therapy. Here, we report a case of a seven years old child who presented to us with diffuse hyperpigmentation of the body, body flexures, palmar creases and mucosae. He was diagnosed with Addison's disease, which is indeed a rare entity. In addition, this case report will also enhance the importance of cutaneous examination in suspecting Addison's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]