Linear Growth of Children With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

The congenital adrenal hyperplasias (CAHs) comprise a family of autosomal recessive disorders that disrupt adrenal steroidogenesis. Three specific enzyme deficiencies are associated with virilization of affected women. The most common form is 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) due to mutations in the 21-hydroxylase (CYP21A2) gene. Other virilizing forms include 3b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (HSD3B2) and 11b-hydroxylase deficiencies associated with mutations in the HSD3B2 and 11b-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) genes, respectively.