Cunha 2004.

Methods	Study type: prospective multi‐centre study Setting: Brazil (University Hospital of Federal University of Minas Gerais, Santa Casa de Misericórdia, and Hospital Felício Rocho, Belo Horizonte). This information was based on additional information provided by trial authors.
Participants	35 children (median age at diagnosis/first HPA axis function test 6.9 years (range 1.2 to 14.4 years); 17 boys and 18 girls) with ALL
Interventions	Treatment according to the Brazilian Group for Treatment of ALL, 1993 protocol (GBTLI‐93). Specific medication not defined Type of glucocorticoid therapy: dexamethasone (6 mg/m2/d, twice daily) given for 28 days Cumulative dexamethasone dose: 183.75 mg/m2 Duration of glucocorticoid therapy: 28 days + 9 days tapering doses (in total, 37 days) Methods of cessation of glucocorticoid therapy: dose reduction over 10 days (50% each 3 days, with complete withdrawal on the 10th day) No control intervention
Outcomes	Specific HPA axis function test: ovine CRH stimulus test at 8 a.m. (after an overnight fasting period), including cortisol basal morning value Moment of testing: before introduction of dexamethasone, on 8th and 28th days of dexamethasone use, and 48 hours and 1 month after cessation of dexamethasone. Tests were performed during treatment for ALL. Cutoff limits defined by original studies: baseline cortisol: 5 to 25 µg/dL (138.9 to 694.4 nmol/L); stimulated cortisol levels were compared with levels before treatment.
Notes	7 children were lost to follow‐up at testing on the 8th and 28th days of dexamethasone use, 1 more child at 48 hours after cessation of dexamethasone, and 7 more children at 1 month after cessation of dexamethasone. Length of follow‐up after glucocorticoid therapy: 1 month Funding source: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) Declaration of interest among primary researchers: not mentioned