Adrenogenital syndrome; 21-hydroxylase deficiency; CAH DefinitionCongenital adrenal hyperplasia is the name given to a group of inherited disorders of the adrenal gland. Inherited means the traits are passed down from parent to child. CausesYour adrenal glands are 2 walnut-sized organs that sit one on top of each kidney. The adrenal glands make the following hormones that are essential for life.
Most people with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) lack an enzyme called 21-hydroxylase. The adrenal glands need this enzyme to make enough cortisol and aldosterone. Because of low cortisol levels, the body stimulates the adrenal gland, which then produces more androgen. This results in an imbalance of these hormones. There are two main types of CAH that make up most of all cases: classic CAH and nonclassic CAH. Classic CAH is rarer and more serious. It is often found at birth or early infancy. The body makes too little aldosterone and cortisol and too much androgen. There are two subtypes of classic CAH:
Nonclassic CAH is the mildest and most common form. The body produces enough aldosterone and cortisol, but too much androgen. It often is not diagnosed until later in childhood or adulthood. The person may not have any or only mild symptoms. SymptomsSymptoms will vary, depending on the type of CAH someone has and their age when the disorder is diagnosed.
In children classic, salt-wasting CAH, several adrenal symptoms often develop within 2 or 3 weeks after birth. They may include:
Females with nonclassic CAH will usually have normal female reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes). They may also have the following changes:
Males with nonclassic CAH often appear normal at birth. However, they may appear to enter puberty early. Symptoms may include:
Both males and females will grow rapidly during childhood, but be much shorter than normal as adults. Exams and TestsIf you have a family history of CAH, you may want to talk with your health care provider about having prenatal tests to check for the disorder in your unborn baby: At birth, your child will be screened for CAH as part of newborn screening tests. This is done with a heel stick to draw blood (as part of the routine screenings done on newborns). However, this can only detect classic CAH. If a person has symptoms of any type of CAH, the provider will do an exam and order certain tests. Common blood tests include: Genetic tests can help diagnose or confirm the disorder, but they are rarely needed. TreatmentThe goal of treatment is to return hormone levels to normal, or near normal. Treatment may include taking:
Medicine should be taken daily. People may need additional doses of medicine during times of stress, such as severe illness or surgery. Lifelong monitoring is needed to ensure that proper hormone levels are maintained. Steroids (such as hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone) used to treat CAH do not usually cause side effects such as obesity or weak bones, because the doses replace the hormones that the body cannot make. Steroids cannot be stopped suddenly because doing so may lead to adrenal crisis. People with nonclassic CAH may not need medicine or just need low doses of medicine. A team of health care professionals with expertise in CAH will work together to treat the child and support the family. This team may include neonatologists, geneticists, endocrinologists, and psychiatrists or social workers. Female children with ambiguous genitalia may need surgery to improve function and to create a more typical female appearance. Many health experts suggest waiting until the child is old enough to be involved in the decision, unless surgery is needed for the health of the infant. Talk with your child’s health care providers about what may be best for your child. Working with a mental health professional is an important part of a treatment plan for children with CAH and their families. Support GroupsMore information and support for people with CAH and their families can be found at:
Outlook (Prognosis)Most people with this disorder must take medicine their entire life. They most often have good health. However, they may be shorter than normal adults, even with treatment. In some cases, CAH can affect fertility. Possible ComplicationsAdrenal crisis is a serious complication of classic CAH. PreventionBecause this is a genetic condition, there is no way to prevent it. However, parents with a family history of CAH (of any type) or a child who has the condition should consider genetic counseling. ReferencesDonohoue PA. Disorders of sex development. In: Kliegman RM, St Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 606. Escobar O, Gurtunca N, Viswanathan P, Witchel SF. Pediatric endocrinology. In: Zitelli BJ, McIntire SC, Nowalk AJ, Garrison J, eds. Zitelli and Davis' Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 9. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development website. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/cah. Updated 5/17/2021. Accessed January 11, 2024. Newell-Price, JDC, Auchus RJ. The adrenal cortex. In: Melmed S, Auchus, RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 15. | ||
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Review Date: 3/12/2024 Reviewed By: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Associate Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. View References The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. | ||
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Adrenal glands
