Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Alternate Names : Adrenogenital syndrome, 21-hydroxylase deficiency
Definition
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia refers to a group of inherited disorders of the adrenal gland.
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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.
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