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Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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21-hydroxylase deficiency history and symptoms

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Symptoms of 21-hydroxylase deficiency range from severe to mild or asymptomatic forms, depending on the degree of 21-hydroxylase enzyme deficiency. There are three main clinical phenotypes: classic salt-wasting, classic non-salt-wasting (simple virilizing), and non-classic (late-onset). In classical type, main symptoms can be severe hypotension due to adrenal crisis, ambiguous genitalia in females, and no symptoms or larger phallus in males. In non-classic types, infants and male patients may have no symptoms and females may show virilization symptoms after puberty.

History and Symptoms

History and Symptoms

Symptoms of 21-hydroxylase deficiency range from mild to severe. Some asymptomatic forms have also been identified. Variability of symptoms depends upon the degree of 21-hydroxylase enzyme deficiency. There are three main clinical phenotypes: classic salt-wasting, classic non-salt-wasting (virilization), and non-classic (late-onset):[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

21-OH deficiency type Common symptoms Less common symptoms
Infancy Female Male Female Male
Classic type

In salt wasting type

  • Normal appearing at birth (mostly)
  • Male-typical cognitive pattern (better performance on spatial tasks, worse performance on verbal tasks)
Non-classic type
  • No symptoms
  • No symptoms

 

References

References

  1. ↑ Eugster EA, Dimeglio LA, Wright JC, Freidenberg GR, Seshadri R, Pescovitz OH (2001). “Height outcome in congenital adrenal hyperplasia caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency: a meta-analysis”. J Pediatr. 138 (1): 26–32. doi:10.1067/mpd.2001.110527. PMID 11148508.
  2. ↑ Mathews GA, Fane BA, Conway GS, Brook CG, Hines M (2009). “Personality and congenital adrenal hyperplasia: possible effects of prenatal androgen exposure”. Horm Behav. 55 (2): 285–91. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2008.11.007. PMC 3296092. PMID 19100266.
  3. ↑ Mulaikal RM, Migeon CJ, Rock JA (1987). “Fertility rates in female patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency”. N Engl J Med. 316 (4): 178–82. doi:10.1056/NEJM198701223160402. PMID 3491959.
  4. ↑ Stikkelbroeck NM, Hermus AR, Braat DD, Otten BJ (2003). “Fertility in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency”. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 58 (4): 275–84. doi:10.1097/01.OGX.0000062966.93819.5B. PMID 12665708.
  5. ↑ Hagenfeldt K, Janson PO, Holmdahl G, Falhammar H, Filipsson H, Frisén L; et al. (2008). “Fertility and pregnancy outcome in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency”. Hum Reprod. 23 (7): 1607–13. doi:10.1093/humrep/den118. PMID 18420648.
  6. ↑ van der Kamp HJ, Wit JM (2004). “Neonatal screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia”. Eur. J. Endocrinol. 151 Suppl 3: U71–5. PMID 15554889.
  7. ↑ White PC, Speiser PW (2000). “Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency”. Endocr. Rev. 21 (3): 245–91. doi:10.1210/edrv.21.3.0398. PMID 10857554.
  8. ↑ Zucker KJ, Bradley SJ, Oliver G, Blake J, Fleming S, Hood J (1996). “Psychosexual development of women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia”. Horm Behav. 30 (4): 300–18. doi:10.1006/hbeh.1996.0038. PMID 9047259.

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Mehrian Jafarizade, M.D [2]