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Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Aldosterone level test
Aldosterone level test

Alternative Names    Return to top

Adrenogenital syndrome; 21-hydroxylase deficiency

Definition    Return to top

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia refers to a group of inherited disorders of the adrenal gland.

Causes    Return to top

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia can affect both boys and girls. People with congenital adrenal hyperplasia lack an enzyme needed by the adrenal gland to make the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.

Without these hormones, the body produces more androgen, a type of male sex hormone. This causes male characteristics to appear early (or inappropriately).

About 1 in 10,000 to 18,000 children are born with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Symptoms    Return to top

Girls will usually have normal internal female reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes). They may have the following external changes:

Boys won't have any obvious problems at birth. However, they may appear to enter puberty as early as 2-3 years of age. Changes may include:

Both boys and girls will be tall as children but significantly shorter than normal as adults.

Some forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia are more severe and cause adrenal crisis in the newborn due to loss of salt. In this form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, newborns develop severe symptoms shortly after birth, including:

Exams and Tests    Return to top

Genetic tests can help diagnose, confirm, and manage the disease.

This disease may also affect the results of the following tests:

Treatment    Return to top

The goal of treatment is to return hormone levels to normal. This is done by taking a form of cortisol (dexamethasone, fludrocortisone, or hydrocortisone) every day. People may need additional doses of medicine during times of stress, such as severe illness or surgery.

The health care provider will determine the gender of a baby with ambiguous genitalia by checking the chromosomes (karyotyping). Girls with male-looking genitals will usually have surgery between ages 1 month - 3 months to correct the abnormal appearance.

Parents of children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia should be aware of the side effects of steroid therapy. Report signs of infection and stress to your health care provider because the child may need more medication. Steroid medications cannot be stopped suddenly, because it may lead to adrenal insufficiency.

Support Groups    Return to top

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

People with this condition usually have good health. However, they may be shorter than normal, even with treatment.

Males have normal fertility. Females may have a smaller opening of the vagina and lower fertility.

People with this disorder must take medication their entire lives.

Untreated, adrenal crisis can lead to death within 1 - 6 weeks after birth.

Possible Complications    Return to top

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if your child develops symptoms of this disorder.

If you had a child with this disorder or you have a family history of this disease and you plan to have other children, talk to your health care provider before conceiving. Genetic counseling is important if you have a family history of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Prevention    Return to top

Parents with a family history of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (of any type) or a child who has the condition should consider genetic counseling.

Prenatal diagnosis is available for some forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Diagnosis is made in the first trimester by chorionic villus sampling. Diagnosis in the second trimester is made by measuring hormones such as 17-hydroxyprogesterone in the amniotic fluid.

A newborn screening test is available for the most common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. It can be done on heelstick blood (as part of the routine screenings done on newborns). This test is currently performed in many states. Ask your doctor if it is done in your state.

References    Return to top

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and Related Disorders. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF. Kliegman: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 577.

Update Date: 10/9/2008

Updated by: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Chad Haldeman-Englert, MD, Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/15/2008).

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