Using 'miracle drug' to gain weight, many children have swollen faces and hirsutism

Hanoi Central Endocrinology Hospital recorded many children aged 4-7 years old with heavy faces and thick hair on the neck and back after using products advertised as "weight gain aids".

A 4-year-old girl was taken to the hospital by her mother after about a month of using a product advertised by the seller as a vitamin "to help children eat well and gain weight". At this time, the child gained weight with water retention in the face, and thick hair growth on the back and neck. Test results revealed a condition of decreased adrenal gland function.

"After only one month of using the product, my baby started to show signs of growing a lot of hair, becoming chubby, and having many blood vessels on his skin, so I stopped giving him the product and took him to the doctor," the mother said, adding that she bought this vitamin from an acquaintance, of unknown origin, and had to take 3 boxes for 3 consecutive months.

Similarly, two brothers aged 5 and 7 were also hospitalized after using a product introduced as a vitamin of unknown origin without consulting a specialist. After a while, the two children developed thick hair growth and severe facial rashes.

MSc. Dr. Do Gia Nam, Deputy Head of the Endocrinology Department, said he is treating nearly a dozen children with adrenal insufficiency. Each child has different symptoms such as water retention, heavy face, hirsutism, but some have no obvious signs. However, the children all have one thing in common: decreased adrenal function due to the use of similar drugs.

Test results showed that all children had adrenal insufficiency suspected to be caused by glucocorticoid drugs - an endocrine disorder of the adrenal cortex. This drug contains exogenous corticosteroids, causing a decline in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, inhibiting the adrenal glands from producing endogenous glucocorticoids.

Currently, doctors are monitoring and treating the children so that they can gradually recover. Many cases have recovered after 5-10 days and are discharged home, but some children have adrenal insufficiency and require specific treatment and long-term monitoring.

Children with hirsutism on the nape of the neck due to using products of unknown origin causing adrenal insufficiency. Photo: Provided by the hospital — Children with hirsutism on the nape of the neck due to using products of unknown origin causing adrenal insufficiency. Photo: *Provided by the hospital*

Doctor Nam warns that some people are currently using drugs without a doctor's prescription, following recommendations and advertisements from non-professionals, especially drugs of unknown origin. This makes it difficult to control the ingredients, content, and dosage, seriously affecting health.

Corticoid-containing drugs used improperly are very dangerous. They can cause serious harm to health, especially for children. Long-term use of drugs containing coricod will affect the physical development, movement, mental development, height, and resistance of young children.

Children with respiratory diseases, ear, nose and throat... using it for a long time without a doctor's prescription will cause serious consequences such as permanent adrenal insufficiency, muscle atrophy. More serious are osteoporosis, stomach ulcers, immunosuppression, reduced resistance, susceptibility to secondary infections as well as puberty.

Parents should take their children to the hospital for examination and treatment according to the doctor's prescription. Absolutely do not abuse drugs, especially products of unknown origin.

Le Nga

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