What it means
The face becomes round like a full moon as fat builds up in the cheeks and jaw, often with redness. It is a classic finding of too much cortisol in the body, from long-term corticosteroid drugs such as prednisone or from Cushing syndrome. It slowly fades when the cortisol level comes down.
For the nurse
Clients on long-term steroids may be upset by the change in appearance: listen, and remind them not to stop steroids suddenly on their own, which can be dangerous.
At a glance
| Also written | moon facies, moon-shaped face |
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Related terms
corticosteroid
A drug that acts like the hormones of the adrenal glands, used mainly to calm inflammation and the immune system.
cortisol
A steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress and inflammation.
Cushing syndrome
A condition caused by too much cortisol in the body over a long time.