This study compares the effects on the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis of two dosage schedules of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate and hydrocortisone ointments in 20 children suffering from eczema. Children with moderately extensive eczema received either 30 g of 0.1% hydrocortisone 17-butyrate or 30 g of 1% hydrocortisone ointment weekly for 4 weeks without occlusion. Children with extensive eczema received either 60 g of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate or 60 g of hydrocortisone weekly for 4 weeks. All four groups showed some clinical improvement. Although many of the children appeared to have some impairment of adrenal function prior to entering the trial, no further significant depression of the HPA axis as reflected by the plasma ACTH levels and a 30-min Synacthen test was observed during the trial. On the basis of 4 weeks’ treatment, hydrocortisone 17-butyrate did not have a significantly different effect on the HPA axis in children from that of hydrocortison