Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional
Official Title: Adrenal Cortical Function and Vitamin A Deficiency in Sepsis, Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: Prospective Randomized, Double Blind Placebo Controlled Clinical Trials
Brief Summary:
The study involves the participant to receive a 250 mcg Cortrosyn (ACTH) Stimulation Test to test the ability of the body to make Cortisol. If the body is not able to make large amount of Cortisol (Delta Cortisol < 13 mg/dl) from the stimulation test, then the participant will be given additional cortisol like medicine called Solumedrol or matching placebo.
If the body is able to make large amounts of Cortisol (> 13 mg/dl), then the participant will receive daily shots of Vitamin A for 7 days or matching placebo.
If the participant does not respond to the stimulation test, and meets the criteria for Cortisol deficiency (all 3 cortisol concentrations < 20 mg/dl), then he/she will screen failed for the study and will be offered hydrocortisone as part of routine care by the treating physician.